MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings return to U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday for a Week 4 matchup against the 0-3 Miami Dolphins, a get-right opportunity against a team already looking toward the 2027 NFL Draft and playing without star running back De'Von Achane, who is out for the season with a torn ACL suffered last week.
Miami enters tied for the league low with 36 points scored and a league-worst minus-50 point differential, with Green Bay next at minus-35. The matchup tilts heavily toward the pass for Minnesota. The Dolphins rank 28th in points allowed, 32nd in opponent completion percentage, 31st in quarterback pressures and 32nd in sacks with zero through three games, allowing completions at an 80.3% clip. They are 12th in rush yards allowed, a figure inflated because opponents have found easier paths through the air.
Pressure falls on head coach Kevin O'Connell, quarterback Kyler Murray and the Vikings passing game to produce at home, with or without Justin Jefferson, who is expected to sit. The ground game offers little relief with Aaron Jones not at 100%, Jordan Mason on injured reserve and no other back averaging more than 3.3 yards per carry. Given the defensive numbers, it sets up as a "No Jefferson? No problem" scenario if Minnesota can finally find rhythm through the air.
On the other side, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik must navigate without Achane against defensive coordinator Brian Flores and a Minnesota defense allowing just 13.7 points per game while ranking first in sacks, quarterback hits, fewest points per drive, DVOA and EPA. Miami's offense ranks 31st in points per game at 12.0, 26th in total yards and 25th in sacks taken, sitting 20th in both passing and rushing yards per game and 19th in yards per play. Quarterback Malik Willis ranks 29th in passer rating and 27th in QBR with little help around him.
History adds context to the rare meeting in Minneapolis, staged every eight years. In Week 4 of the 1994 season, Warren Moon and Dan Marino combined for 757 passing yards as Minnesota built a 28-0 lead behind three Marino interceptions, saw Miami rally to tie at 28-28, and held on for a 38-35 victory. Three decades later, Minnesota will try to avoid turnovers and special-teams miscues and keep Miami under 10 points while proving its passing game can show life before tougher tests arrive.