Source: FOX Sports
Summary
The Miami Dolphins, 0-3, face the 3-0 Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Minnesota averages 23.7 points per game and allows 13.7, while Miami averages 12.0 points and allows 28.7. The Vikings are a 10.5-point favorite. Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has thrown one touchdown and two interceptions this season. Minnesota leads the league with 14 sacks and has allowed just 13.7 points per game. Justin Jefferson is out with an ankle injury, and KJ Jefferson has stepped up in his place.
Our Reading
The game followed a familiar script.
Dolphins keep losing, Vikings keep winning.
Tagovailoa still can’t get it done.
Vikings’ defense keeps making plays.
This one felt like a coronation, not a contest.
Author: Evan Null
Game Preview
The Miami Dolphins visit the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Oct. 4, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings are 3-0 this season, while the Dolphins are 0-3.
Minnesota beat Tampa Bay 23-16 last Sunday and is averaging 23.7 points per game while allowing 13.7. Miami lost 24-10 to Kansas City and is averaging 12.0 points per game while allowing 28.7.
Minnesota is a 10.5-point favorite over Miami, with a total of 38.5 and a moneyline of -617 for the Vikings and +455 for the Dolphins.
Quarterback Struggles
Miami needs steadier quarterback play against one of the league’s fastest-starting defenses. Willis has thrown for 627 yards through three games, with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions, and went 20 of 36 for 210 yards and a pick last week against Kansas City. Miami is averaging just 12 points a game so far this season.
The matchup gets tougher from here. Minnesota leads the league with 14 sacks, is tied for first with 4 interceptions and has allowed only 13.7 points a game, second-best in the NFL. Miami has already given up 9 sacks through three games, and Willis will be working behind that line all afternoon.
Receiver Production
A bigger workload landed on Addison in Week 3 once Justin Jefferson left with an ankle injury, and he delivered: 5 catches, 90 yards and a touchdown in Minnesota’s win over Tampa Bay. Jefferson is out this week with an ankle sprain, and Addison arrives off his most productive outing of the season.
Miami’s defense hasn’t recorded a sack all season, one reason Minnesota’s passing game needs more than one voice right now. The Vikings have averaged only 137 yards through the air and taken 9 sacks of their own this year. Addison’s five catches last week give this offense a proven second option.
Defensive Dominance
Minnesota’s defense has carried this 3-0 start, and Van Ginkel is part of a front that has overwhelmed opposing quarterbacks early. The Vikings have piled up 14 sacks in three games, tops in the league, forced 6 takeaways and held opponents to 13.7 points a game. Van Ginkel also picked off a pass this season, one more way this defense has taken the ball away.
Miami has scored only 36 points through three games with just 1 passing touchdown, and the Dolphins have turned the ball over 4 times already. That profile plays right into Minnesota’s pass rush this week.
Final Notes
Learn more about the Miami Dolphins vs. Minnesota Vikings game and check the full schedule on FOX Sports!
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