The Minnesota Vikings are headed to the late window again this Sunday, and for the third time in the first four weeks of the season they’ll be there while hosting the Miami Dolphins at U.S. Bank Stadium.
It’s an odd setup all around. The Vikings are the only late game on the FOX family of networks this week, even though CBS has the doubleheader for the second straight week.
That means CBS will carry three late games, while FOX has just the one. The Dolphins-Vikings matchup falls in the orange area on the coverage map from 506 Sports.
There’s one more wrinkle for viewers: because CBS has the doubleheader again, there won’t be an early game on your local FOX affiliate if Dolphins-Vikings is being shown in your area. Every other FOX game on the map is in the early window.
If you’re outside the orange area, the game will be on YouTube TV Sunday Ticket.
There’s also a schedule note for Sunday. Open Threads for the windows when the Vikings aren’t playing will go back to being regular posts instead of being placed in the Feed. That first post is set for around 11:30 AM Central Sunday morning, with the game Open Thread arriving at the usual time, 30 minutes before kickoff at 2:30 PM Central.
The Vikings will return to the early window in Week 5, though some viewers could still get caught in a tricky spot again for reasons that will be laid out next week. The plan is to have that coverage map post ready on Wednesday, once 506 Sports releases the maps.
In Other News...
J.J. McCarthy Report Adds Tension To Vikings Quarterback Transition
The quarterback transition in Minnesota was always going to carry some natural awkwardness, and a new report suggests it may have gone beyond the usual competition for reps. J.J. McCarthy was reportedly unhappy with Sam Darnolds play while McCarthy was sidelined by injury, adding a layer of emotion to a situation the Vikings hoped would stay businesslike as they moved through the season.
For a team trying to keep its offense steady, those kinds of feelings can matter as much as the depth chart itself. The report raises questions about how smoothly the Vikings can manage the handoff at quarterback, especially if lingering tension around McCarthy and Darnold starts to shape the locker room dynamic instead of just the playbook. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Fans Are Already Reopening A Quarterback Debate Too Soon
Kyler Murrays second start for the Vikings gave fans enough to start the conversation all over again. In a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he completed 15 of 29 passes for 168 yards with a touchdown and an interception, a line that was good enough to keep Minnesota moving but not quite clean enough to quiet the noise around the position.
Carson Wentz has only added to the debate, since he guided the Vikings to their first two victories and gave the offense a steadier early rhythm. Murray is still working through the adjustment period in Kevin OConnells system, and the situation brings back some of the same growing pains the team saw with Sam Darnold, leaving Minnesota with a familiar question even after a win. [Read more 🡒]
Justin Jefferson's Exit Leaves Vikings Fans Watching One Huge Concern
Justin Jeffersons left ankle became the main storyline inside a Week 3 Vikings win, even if the final score gave Minnesota plenty to like. Kevin OConnell said Jefferson was close to returning, but not fully ready, and the sight of the teams top receiver spending part of the game on the sideline naturally sent a ripple through a fan base that has grown used to building its offense around him.
For the Vikings, the concern is less about one missed stretch than about what happens if the injury lingers at all, especially with division rivals trying to find their footing. Detroit is showing it can move the ball without leaning on deep shots, Green Bay is still trying to steady its protection issues and run its offense, and Minnesota would prefer not to find out how much margin for error it has without Jefferson on the field. [Read more 🡒]