The Vikings are 4-0, and the formula has been as ugly as it is effective. Minnesota beat the Dolphins 15-10 on Sunday inside U.S. Bank Stadium, getting by once again on defense and special teams while the offense sputtered for most of the afternoon.
That script has become familiar. The Vikings have now gone three straight weeks averaging fewer than 16 points per game, yet they keep stacking wins. Against Miami, they didn’t score a touchdown, and they still walked out with another victory over a team that is still looking for its first win of the 2026 season.
One of the bigger reasons for the better second half was Kyler Murray, who finally looked more comfortable after a rough opening 30 minutes. He was sacked three times in the first half and went 11-for-19 for 112 yards, but Kevin O'Connell clearly adjusted after halftime. Minnesota’s offense started to move with more rhythm in the final two quarters, and Murray was especially sharp in the fourth quarter, when he went 13-for-14 for 120 yards.
The question now is whether that version of Murray can show up for a full game instead of just a half. Sunday at least gave Minnesota something to build on.
Will Reichard, meanwhile, keeps making the kicking game look automatic. He is still perfect on the season, having converted every field goal and extra point he’s tried, and he added five more field goals against Miami, including one from 50 yards out. With Reichard eligible for a contract extension after this season, there’s a strong case for Minnesota to make him the highest-paid kicker in the NFL.
T.J. Hockenson also delivered the kind of game the Vikings have been waiting for.
After catching only nine passes through the first three games, he turned in a huge performance against the Dolphins, finishing with 13 receptions for 119 yards. After a disappointing 2025 season, that’s the kind of outing Minnesota hoped to see from him with a different quarterback under center.
There was, however, a price to pay along the offensive line. Starting left guard Donovan Jackson left in the first quarter with a knee injury, was initially listed as questionable to return, and was later ruled out.
Starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw also exited in the second quarter with a neck injury, came back in the second half, and then left again to be checked for a concussion. That left side had been one of the steadier parts of the offense, and now it’s a major concern.
And that brings the Vikings back to the same uncomfortable truth: winning like this can only go so far. They’re 4-0, but the offense has scored only two touchdowns in the last three games.
If Minnesota wants to hang with the top of the NFC, that has to change. If not, these gross wins might be the only kind they get.
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Dolphins Vikings Game Had A Wild Referee Moment Fans Need To See
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Hill stayed down briefly before getting back to his feet and confronting Wilson, with another official stepping in to separate things. The clip spread quickly on social media and drew a mix of reactions, the sort of unintended sideline drama that can take on a life of its own long after the game settles into the final score. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Keep Winning Despite One Offensive Problem Fans Can't Ignore
The Vikings keep stacking wins even as the offense has struggled to put together the kind of full-field performance fans usually expect from a contender. Minnesota has won three straight games without cracking 250 total yards in any of them, an unusual run in the Super Bowl era, but the results have held up because the rest of the roster has carried its weight.
Under Kevin OConnell, the formula has leaned on a strong defense, steady special teams and a team-wide emphasis on avoiding turnovers. It is a reminder that ugly box scores do not always stop a good team, especially when the other phases are doing enough to keep the Vikings in control. [Read more 🡒]
Jauan Jennings Faces Real Vikings Pressure In A Huge Opportunity
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Jennings arrived with real expectations after signing his recent contract, but the production has not matched the opportunity so far. Minnesota does not have the luxury of easing into this one, either, because the offense needs someone beyond Addison to help absorb Jeffersons absence and keep the passing game moving against Miami. For Jennings, it is the kind of spot that can change the tone around a season quickly, even if the full answer is still waiting to be written. [Read more 🡒]