After going on the road last weekend and getting a win against the Buccaneers, the Vikings improved to 3-0 on the season. The offense continues to be a question mark. We have yet to see our passing game look good. Dating back to last year, the Vikings haven’t thrown for 250 yards in a game since week 15 against the Cowboys. The good news is that the defense continues to be elite. Looking ahead to week 4, the Vikings have a real chance to move to 4-0 on the season where they will face the Dolphins, who are projected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL this year.
Game Information
Matchup: Minnesota Vikings vs. Miami Dolphins
Date/Time: 10/4/2026 3:05 CST
Location: US Bank Stadium
TV: Fox
Season & Weekly Vibe Check
Current Mood Meter
🔥 Elite Vibes
😎 Feeling Good
🙂 Cautiously Optimistic
😐 Wait and See
😬 Concerned
🚨 Full Minnesota Panic Mode
This Week’s Mood: 😎 Feeling Good
No reason not to be feeling good when you start 3-0 especially when we have a defense as good as this team has. The vibes would be ELITE if we could even see some form of life for a full game from the offense. There were brief flashes last week on a few deep shots to Jordan Addison, but Kyler looked rusty last week for most of the game. Being that it was his first full start in this offense, we should probably give him some rope, but we need to see something this weekend vs a bad Dolphins team.
Justin Jefferson’s Stat Lines are Depressing
I picked Jefferson to go over 100 yards last week because I thought he was due for a breakout game in terms of yards. When I said he was due, I was thinking “it’s been a few weeks since he’s had over 100 yards”. Turns out Jefferson has only gone over 100 yards ONE time since the start of the 2025 season. And that one time was a meaningless week 18 game vs the packers third stringers.
Our star receiver isn’t even getting mentioned in the conversation anymore with best receivers in the NFL, and that is a depressing, even when you are 3-0. Is this Justin Jefferson’s fault? Hardly. The Vikings have had sub-par QB play for essentially 21 straight games now dating back to the start of 2025 season. We need Kyler to get in a groove here not only for the sake of our team but so our favorite super star can get back to dominating opposing defenses on the stat sheet.
Around the NFC North
A quick recap of our division foes to round out the vibes…
I mentioned in last week’s blog that the Packers got dog walked at home against a bad Falcons team on TNF leaving them at 1-2 on the year. Shame… The Packers are talented, but their O-line is terrible. Until that changes and Parson’s comes back, they don’t feel like a threat in the North.
The Lions beat the Jets at home. The Lions are an interesting team. Almost the polar opposite of the Vikes. They are loaded on offense, but have an awful defense. Between their weak schedule and the weapons they have, I think they concern me the most in the division. When the Vikings see them in week 8 it should be a huge matchup. The Vikings early 2-0 division record will is pivotal and gives them a head start on everyone else.
The Bears won at home against the Eagles on MNF. Old friend Case Keenum was slinging it out there against a bad Eagles defense and the Bears won by three scores. I still think the Bears are fake news either way, good for Case Keenum
Game Notes & Overview
The State of the Vikings
- Current Record: 3-0
- NFC Standing: 1st
- Last Week’s Result: W @ Tampa Bay
- Key Injuries: Jordan Mason & Justin Jefferson *game status TBD*
- Major Storylines: Justin Jefferson left the game last week and his status this week is unclear
About the Dolphins
- Record: 0-3
- AFC Standing: 14th
- Last Week’s Result: L vs. Kansas City
- Key Injuries: Devon Achane
- Major Storylines: The Dolphins are without their star running back the rest of the season.
Three Things That Will Decide the Game
- Offense doesn’t have unnecessary turnovers
- Vikings O-line dominating the trench battle
- Limit the penalties.
The keys to the game this week aren’t sexy or hot take like. The Vikings are a better team and are at home. Just play smart football and they should come out on top.
My Biggest Concern
Kyler and the Vikings passing game continues to be by biggest worry. It would be nice to see KOC dial up some easy passes early in the game to get Kyler in a rhythm early. Why can’t we just do some simple slants or have Kyler roll out of the pocket and hit Addison or Hockenson for 5 yards? Simplify for your QB KOC until the deep shots open up.
Why the Vikings Could Win
They are a far more talented team. It’s really that simple. They just need to not turn the ball over and pressure Malik Willis, who’s still only made a handful of starts in the NFL.
Betting Corner
Best Bet
Pick: Vikings -10.5
Odds: -110
Why I like it: The Dolphins are 0-3 ATS this season.
Player Prop of the Week
Pick: Jordan Addison over 4.5 catches
Odds: +115
Why I like it: There’s a good chance Jefferson is out this week making Addison WR1 in the Vikings offense.
Bets I’m Staying Away From
Pick: The Over
Reason: The Vikings offense doesn’t give a ton of confidence right now and it’s hard to see the Dolphins scoring a lot of points on the road against this defense.
Predictions
Just Win MN’s Final Score Predictions
Jakeybigs: Vikings 24, Dolphins 13
Ben Vikings 24, Dolphins 6
Woody Vikings 27, Dolphins 13
*Knocks on wood*
Spread Prediction
Vikings -10.5.
Every fiber of my body tells me this is to many points because of previous history of the Vikings being big home favorites which is why I’m picking them to cover. If you’re a sports bettor, you get it.
Bold Prediction
The Vikings record 6+ sacks
Bottom Line
The Vikings are far better than the Dolphins and should win which gives me anxiety that they won’t but in Flores and this defense we trust.
Game Prediction Tracker
Straight-Up Game Predictions
(Read our initial season predictions here)
Jakeybigs – 2-1
Ben- 2-1
Woody- 3-0
Against the Spread
Jakeybigs – 2-1
Best Bets
Jakeybigs – 1-2. The Jefferson injury hosed us last week after he got 31 yards on the first drive.
That wraps our week 3 preview. Leave your comments where you think I’m right and where you think I’m an idiot. Either way let’s hope the Vikings pull out a W and start the season off 4-0. Until then SKOL & JUST WIN MN!
