The Miami Dolphins head to Minnesota on Sunday still chasing their first win, and they draw a brutal setup for it. Miami has spent the first four weeks of the season going through four of the NFL’s five teams that opened 3-0, and now it gets the Vikings with Brian Flores coordinating a defense that has turned the blitz into a weekly headache for opposing quarterbacks.
That matchup puts real pressure on a Dolphins offensive line that has already been tested this season. It also comes with another hit to Miami’s outlook: the season-ending injury to running back De’Von Achane.
Put it together, and the betting line reflects the challenge. FanDuel Sportsbook has Minnesota favored by 10.5 points.
Our contributors are back with their picks for Dolphins-Vikings and the rest of the Week 4 slate, along with straight-up winners across the schedule.
Thursday night opens with the Steelers at the Browns, with Pittsburgh laying 2.5 points. Sunday’s action starts in London, where the Colts are 3.5-point favorites over Washington.
The 1 p.m. window features a full board of spreads: the Titans at the Ravens, with Baltimore favored by 11.5; the Patriots at the Bills, with Buffalo at -6.5; the Jets at the Bears, with Chicago at -3.5; the Jaguars at the Bengals, with Cincinnati at -2.5; the Cowboys at the Texans, with Houston favored by 3; the Cardinals at the Giants, with Arizona at -2.5; the Rams at the Eagles, with Los Angeles at -3; and the Packers at the Buccaneers, with Green Bay laying 3.5.
In the late window, the Chiefs visit the Raiders as 4.5-point favorites, the Chargers travel to Seattle with the Seahawks favored by 7, and the Broncos take on the 49ers with San Francisco at -2.5.
Sunday night brings the Lions to Carolina, with Detroit favored by 3.5. Monday night closes the week with the Falcons at the Saints, and New Orleans is a 2.5-point favorite.
The Week 3 picks race finished with James McKinney, Kevin Nogle and The Phinsider Community all going 8-8. Marek Brave went 7-9, and Sumeet Jena finished 6-10.
Through Week 3, James McKinney leads the overall standings at 31-17. Marek Brave sits at 27-1, followed by The Phinsider Community and Kevin Nogle at 27-21. Sumeet Jena is 22-26, with his overall record reflecting the nine games he did not pick in Week 2 as losses.
In Other News...
Dolphins Have A Marvin Harrison Jr. Chance They Cant Ignore
Marvin Harrison Jr.s NFL start has been quieter than many expected, but the possibility of a change in scenery is now drawing attention across the league. The Cardinals wide receiver has reportedly landed on the trade radar, and ESPN insiders say teams are keeping tabs on his situation as Arizona weighs its options. For a Dolphins team always looking for more explosive playmakers, the fit is easy to see.
Miamis receiver room could use another high-ceiling target, and Harrison would bring the kind of upside that can change the complexion of an offense. The question is how far the Cardinals are willing to go, since some around the league believe a mid-to-late draft pick could be enough to get a deal done. For the Dolphins, it is the kind of opportunity that does not come around often, even if the price and timing still have to line up. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins May Face A Risky Receiver Decision They Can't Ignore
The Dolphins are at least keeping tabs on a wide receiver situation that could shape their next move, with ESPNs Jeremy Fowler reporting that teams are monitoring Arizona for a possible trade involving Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The former No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 draft has not matched the early expectation that came with his selection, but his name is now circulating as a potential buy-low option for clubs that believe a change of scenery could help.
For Miami, the intrigue is obvious because the team has enough salary-cap flexibility to take on his contract if it decides the upside is worth the risk. The price tag being discussed is manageable, too, which puts the Dolphins in a familiar roster-building lane, but any real pursuit would still hinge on a careful look at why things have stalled in Arizona before they commit draft capital to a receiver with clear talent and equally clear questions. [Read more 🡒]
Jacob Rodriguez Is Giving Dolphins Fans A New Reason To Believe
The Dolphins have found an early defensive anchor in rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who has already moved into a starting role and taken on the responsibility of relaying the calls. Through three games, he has piled up 28 tackles and an interception, production that has quickly pushed him toward the top of the league conversation for first-year defenders. For a Miami defense looking for stability and playmaking, Rodriguez has given the unit both.
The buzz has followed him beyond the locker room, with betting markets now treating him like a serious Defensive Rookie of the Year contender. Rodriguez has welcomed the attention, but he has kept the focus on the bigger picture and the kind of team success Miami needs if his early rise is going to mean anything in the long run. For the Dolphins, the encouraging part is not just the numbers, but how quickly he has become someone they can trust in the middle of it all. [Read more 🡒]