Vikings go 4-0 but leave plenty of room for improvement

Minnesota got the better of the Miami Dolphins despite not scoring a touchdown.

Leroy Hinds October 4, 2026·3 min read

The Minnesota Vikings entered Sunday afternoon’s contest at 3-0, while the visiting Miami Dolphins arrived still searching for its first victory of the season. Minnesota was also without star receiver Justin Jefferson, who missed the game with an ankle injury, leaving the Vikings facing another test for an offense that had already relied heavily on its defence and special teams.

The opening quarter quickly established the tone of the afternoon, with neither offense able to find the end zone, but Will Reichard did give Minnesota the lead with a 47-yard field goal. The Vikings’ defence continued to make life difficult for Miami, while Kyler Murray struggled to generate much rhythm against a Dolphins pass rush that had recorded just 1 sack this season ahead of this game.

Reichard added another field goal in the second quarter, this time from 50 yards, before converting from 33 yards with just 4 seconds remaining in the half.

Minnesota entered the locker room with a 9-0 advantage, but the game remained firmly within Miami’s reach, and they finally found their breakthrough in the third quarter.

Riley Patterson cut the deficit with a 27-yard field goal before Ollie Gordon II exploded for a 12-yard touchdown run. Gordon had already provided Miami with its biggest offensive plays of the afternoon and his touchdown brought the Dolphins within 2 points.

Miami had finally found some momentum, but the Vikings’ defence refused to surrender control. The fourth quarter became a battle of field position, with both offenses struggling to consistently move the ball. Reichard eventually added his fifth and final field goal of the afternoon, converting from 29 yards to give Minnesota a 15-10 advantage with 7 minutes to play.

The door was still well and truly ajar for the Dolphins to take an unlikely lead at the death, but their offense simply could not capitalise.

Minnesota’s defence forced Miami into a 3-and-out, giving the Vikings possession with just over 5 minutes remaining. From there, Minnesota’s offense produced exactly what it needed, leaning on Aaron Jones Sr. and T.J. Hockenson to drain the clock.

Hockenson was particularly important throughout the afternoon, catching an equal-career-high 13 passes for 119 yards. His receptions repeatedly kept Minnesota’s drives alive, including several crucial catches on the final possession.

The Vikings eventually moved inside the Miami 5-yard line, allowing Murray to kneel out the final seconds and secure another narrow victory.

Murray finished with 247 passing yards without a touchdown or turnover, while Jones Sr. rushed for 94 yards. More importantly, Minnesota controlled possession for more than 39 minutes and ran 72 offensive plays compared with Miami’s 37.

For the Dolphins, Gordon II provided a bright spot with 100 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Malik Washington led the receiving corps with 67 yards. However, Miami’s passing game struggled throughout, with Malik Willis finishing with just 85 yards through the air.

The victory moved Minnesota to 4-0, although questions surrounding its offense will continue after the Vikings failed to score an offensive touchdown for the second time in three weeks. The defence and special teams have once again proven capable of carrying the team when necessary.

For Miami, the result dropped the Dolphins to 0-4. Despite another defeat, there were signs of improvement after the team’s struggles earlier in the season, with Miami remaining competitive against an unbeaten Vikings side until the final whistle. Minnesota’s unbeaten record remains intact, but its offense will need to improve if the Vikings are to maintain that record against stronger opposition.

Touchdowns

Miami: Gordon II
Minnesota: N/A