The Minnesota Vikings are heading back to U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 4 with an undefeated record, and the early number for their matchup with the Miami Dolphins reflects that. FanDuel Sportsbook has opened Minnesota as a 9.5-point favorite for the first Sunday afternoon in October, with the over/under set at 41.5 points.
Minnesota’s 3-0 start has been built in a way that doesn’t exactly scream offensive fireworks, but it has gotten the job done. The Vikings survived another uneven day on offense in Week 3 and still came away from Raymond James Stadium with a 23-16 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Their defense and special teams carried the load again, highlighted by Myles Price’s 86-yard punt return for a touchdown, the first punt return score by a Vikings player since 2016. Brian Flores’ defense also turned in another suffocating performance.
That win followed victories over Green Bay and Chicago, keeping Minnesota perfect through three games.
Miami arrives at 0-3 and may have to make the trip north without one of its biggest playmakers. Running back Devon Achane left the Dolphins’ 24-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3 after suffering a non-contact knee injury in the first quarter. New Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley said things “ did not sound optimistic,” though the full extent of the injury was not yet known.
The Dolphins’ season has been rough from the start. They opened with a 27-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1 and followed that with a 35-13 defeat against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2.
In Other News...
Vikings Win Came With A Bigger NFC Twist Fans Will Notice
The Vikings left Week 3 with a win, but the result carried a wider NFC ripple after Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield was knocked out late in the fourth quarter. He injured his right thumb while throwing and was replaced by rookie backup Jalon Daniels, a late-game shift that immediately added another layer to a game Minnesota had already controlled enough to close out.
Mayfield is expected to miss time and will get an MRI to determine just how serious the damage is, which matters far beyond Tampa Bays sideline. For a Vikings team trying to build momentum in a crowded conference race, the injury to a familiar NFC opponent is the kind of development fans notice right away, especially with the playoff picture never staying quiet for long. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Are Sending A Clear Message On J.J. McCarthy
The Giants latest quarterback move says plenty about how the market is viewing Minnesotas depth chart. With Jaxson Dart confirmed out for the rest of the regular season, New York is lining up a trade for J.J. McCarthy, sending a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Vikings in a deal that would give the Giants a more stable backup option behind Jameis Winston.
For Minnesota, the move is another reminder of where McCarthy stands after arriving as a 2024 first-round pick. He remains under contract through 2027 with a fifth-year option for 2028, so the Vikings still have control for the long haul, but this kind of interest also underscores how other teams are still willing to invest in him as a quarterback worth developing. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings May Need DeeJay Dallas Fast And His Rise Says Plenty
DeeJay Dallas went from the Vikings practice squad to the active roster in a hurry after Jordan Mason landed on injured reserve, and the timing makes his arrival feel a lot bigger than a routine depth move. Minnesota has already gotten a taste of Dallas in the first two games of the season, where he has chipped in on offense and special teams, and the teams thinning backfield has only raised the importance of having someone who can be trusted in multiple roles.
What stands out is how quickly Dallas has taken to the Vikings offense and how familiar he already is with the organization and coaching staff. In a season where injuries have already started reshaping the running back room, that kind of comfort can matter just as much as raw ability, and it gives Minnesota a player who may need to be ready for a much larger role sooner rather than later. [Read more 🡒]