A Minnesota Vikings vs Miami Dolphins game doesn’t come around often. Different conferences, different divisions, and a scheduling rotation that pairs the NFC North with the AFC East only once every four years. This week, that date is finally here: Sunday, October 4, 2026, as part of the NFL Week 4 2026 slate, with kickoff set for 4:05 p.m. ET (9:05 p.m. BST, 1:35 a.m. IST on Monday) at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Minnesota is the home team, and it is the Vikings’ first interconference game of the season.
The Vikings walk in at 3-0 after three wins in which the defense did most of the heavy lifting, even though star receiver Justin Jefferson has been ruled out with a sprained ankle. The Dolphins arrive at 0-3 in the first season of a full rebuild under head coach Jeff Hafley, and they just lost running back De’Von Achane to a torn ACL. On paper, Dolphins vs Vikings looks like a mismatch, and the betting market agrees, with Minnesota favored by more than ten points. But anyone who has watched a Vikings vs Dolphins game knows this series has a habit of getting tight. Miami still leads the all-time series 8-6, and the last time these teams met, in October 2022, Minnesota needed a late 53-yard touchdown run to put away a 24-16 win.
So here is everything that matters heading into kickoff: where each team stands, The Miami Dolphins vs Minnesota Vikings match player stats are covered too, along with what comes next on the Minnesota Vikings schedule and the Miami Dolphins schedule, and a set of quick FAQs wraps things up. If you are searching for the Miami Dolphins game today, the kickoff details are in the viewing guide below. Whether you follow Minnesota Vikings games every week or only tune in when the schedule throws up something unusual, this one is worth a look.
Minnesota Vikings: An Unbeaten Start Built on Defense
Minnesota finished 2025 at 9-8 and spent the summer reshaping the quarterback room. The big addition was Kyler Murray, who arrived from Arizona and was named the starter. His Vikings debut lasted barely a quarter. In the season opener against the Green Bay Packers on September 13, Murray took a hard hit to the head, was ruled out with a concussion, and veteran Carson Wentz came off the bench. Wentz finished 12 of 19 for 133 yards and three touchdowns as Minnesota erased a 12-point deficit with 29 unanswered points and won 39-22.
Then came Week 3, a 23-16 win at Tampa Bay on September 27. Murray was cleared and made his first full start in purple, going 15 of 29 for 168 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Jordan Addison caught five passes for 90 yards and a 41-yard touchdown, and Myles Price returned a punt 86 yards for a score, the first Vikings punt return touchdown since Marcus Sherels in 2016. The bad news arrived early: Jefferson went down with an ankle injury in the first half and did not return.
That makes Minnesota 3-0 for the second time in three seasons, and 2-0 in the NFC North. If you are checking Minnesota Vikings standings heading into Week 4, that unbeaten record is the headline, but the Vikings have scored 71 points and allowed 41, a +30 differential, and none of the wins have been pretty.
What Makes Minnesota Tick
- Kyler Murray is the high-variance piece. Through two appearances he is 18 of 34 for 186 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Minnesota’s offense ranks last in the league in total yards, per NFL.com, so Sunday is a chance to find a groove.
- Aaron Jones Sr. gives the offense its floor. He ran for 105 yards against Chicago and 58 more on 17 carries in Tampa, and with Jefferson sidelined the ground game should be leaned on again.
- A thinner receiver group. Addison is coming off the best game of his season, and Jauan Jennings, Tai Felton and tight end T.J. Hockenson are the other names Murray will look for.
- A defense that leads the NFL with 14 sacks. Minnesota allows just 13.7 points per game, holds opponents to a 67.7 passer rating, and has the league’s best red-zone defense at 11.1 percent. Turner leads the league with 24 pressures, and Andrew Van Ginkel and Kyle Van Noy, both former Dolphins, bring heat off the edge.
- A coordinator who likes to gamble. NFL.com pegged the Flores blitz rate near 68 percent, far above anyone else, and linebacker Blake Cashman (10 tackles and a sack against the Bears) keeps the middle tight.
Minnesota Vikings Snapshot
| Detail | Minnesota Vikings |
| Division | NFC North |
| Head coach | Kevin O’Connell (5th season) |
| Defensive coordinator | Brian Flores |
| Starting QB this week | Kyler Murray |
| 2025 record | 9-8 |
| Identity | Aggressive Flores defense, run-first offense, big-play special teams |
| Recent form | 3-0 to start 2026; two road wins in a row |
| 2026 season start | Beat Green Bay 39-22 (Wk 1), won at Chicago 9-3 (Wk 2), won at Tampa Bay 23-16 (Wk 3) |
| Key absence | WR Justin Jefferson (sprained ankle) |
Among the Minnesota Vikings players who are healthy, the story is resilience more than polish. Jefferson is out, cornerback Charles Demmings (hamstring) and punter Brett Thorson are also out, and center Michael Jurgens and tight end Josh Oliver are on injured reserve. Even so, the Miami Dolphins vs Minnesota Vikings match player stats show a team that has found three different ways to win, and that is hard to argue with.
Miami Dolphins: A Full Rebuild Under Jeff Hafley
Miami went 7-10 in 2025 and then tore the roster down. The 2026 season is the first for head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, and the team is the youngest in the NFL, with an average age of 25.5. Plenty of rookies are playing, and the learning curve has been steep. This is an evaluation year, plain and simple.
Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium was the closest Miami has come. The Dolphins lost 24-10, but they held the ball for more than 34 minutes, converted eight third downs, and trailed by one score into the closing minutes. Willis threw for 210 yards with an interception and led the team with 56 rushing yards. A failed fourth-and-5 from Miami’s own 48 with under six minutes left, followed by an interception, sealed it. The more damaging moment came early, when Achane left on the first series with a knee injury. He was diagnosed with a torn ACL the next day and placed on injured reserve.
All three losses have come by at least 14 points, and Miami has not covered a spread yet. Still, the Dolphins have shown flashes, and Hafley, a former Packers defensive coordinator, has said he has total confidence and faith in Willis.
What Makes Miami Tick
- Malik Willis is the engine and the question mark. Through three games he is 49 of 86 for 627 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, a 74.1 passer rating. His legs keep drives alive, but he is tied for the fourth-worst completion rate against the blitz (50 percent), and Minnesota blitzes more than anyone.
- A backfield in transition. With Achane gone for the year, Ollie Gordon II is the lead back after rushing 17 times for 41 yards and a touchdown against Kansas City. Jaylen Wright is the other option.
- Young pass catchers. Douglas is out with an ankle injury, which puts more weight on Malik Washington, rookie Chris Bell, Miller, Kevin Coleman and rookie tight end Will Kacmarek.
- A defense still finding its identity. Miami allows 28.7 points per game, 28th in the league, and it is the only team without a sack. Rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez leads the way with 28 tackles, and rookie safety Michael Taaffe has an interception.
- A long injured reserve list, including Achane, lineman Kenneth Grant, linebackers Ronnie Harrison Jr. and Kyle Louis, and tight end Cole Turner. Edge rusher Rob Beal Jr. and cornerback Storm Duck are also out this week.
Miami Dolphins Snapshot
| Detail | Miami Dolphins |
| Division | AFC East |
| Head coach | Jeff Hafley (1st season) |
| GM | Jon-Eric Sullivan |
| Starting QB this week | Malik Willis |
| 2025 record | 7-10 |
| Identity | Youngest roster in the league, mobile quarterback, rebuilding defense |
| Recent form | 0-3 to start 2026; outscored 86-36 |
| 2026 season start | Lost at Las Vegas 27-13 (Wk 1), lost at San Francisco 35-13 (Wk 2), lost to Kansas City 24-10 (Wk 3) |
| Key absence | RB De’Von Achane (torn ACL, IR) |
Every Miami Dolphins game so far tells the same story. The offense has scored 36 points (12.0 per game) with just three touchdowns, the defense has given up plenty, and the Dolphins are 0-2 on the road. Among the Miami Dolphins players, the rookies are the ones to watch, because a game like this is where young players either grow or get exposed. The Miami Dolphins vs Minnesota Vikings match player stats make the challenge obvious: Willis has to avoid the sacks that have followed him all season.
NFL Schedule This Week
Kickoff for Sunday’s Vikings vs Dolphins game is set for 4:05 p.m. ET, in the late-afternoon window on FOX. The venue is U.S. Bank Stadium, the indoor home of the Vikings, which holds more than 66,000 fans, so weather will not be a factor. The Dolphins are visiting Minneapolis for the first time since 2018, and the Vikings come home after road wins at Chicago and Tampa Bay. Among all the Minnesota Vikings games this season, this is the first against an AFC opponent. It is also one of the late-window games on the NFL Week 4 2026 card.
The Miami Dolphins schedule gets a little easier to breathe after this one, and anyone asking about the Miami Dolphins game today should know it is a 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff on FOX. Miami hosts the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5 on October 11, then has an early Week 6 bye before a trip to the New York Jets in Week 7. The Minnesota Vikings schedule is similar: a Week 5 road game against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome, followed by their own Week 6 bye.
| Team | Next Matchup | Date | Location |
| Minnesota Vikings | at New Orleans Saints (Wk 5) | Oct 11 | Away (Caesars Superdome) |
| Miami Dolphins | vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Wk 5) | Oct 11 | Home (Hard Rock Stadium) |
Both teams will look back at this Miami Dolphins vs Minnesota Vikings result for different reasons. Minnesota wants to prove it can win comfortably and fix an offense that has sputtered. Miami wants to show the Kansas City performance was a step forward and not a one-off.
Head-to-Head History: The Full Timeline
The series dates back to 1972, when the Dolphins visited the old Metropolitan Stadium in the middle of their perfect season. Sunday will be the 15th Minnesota Vikings vs Miami Dolphins meeting, including Super Bowl VIII, and Miami holds a slim edge in the Miami Dolphins vs Minnesota Vikings all-time series, though the Vikings have won the last two.
| Date | Winner | Location | Score | Notes |
| 10/16/2022 | Vikings | Miami Gardens | 24-16 | Dalvin Cook’s 53-yard touchdown run seals it; first Vikings win in Miami since 1976 |
| 12/16/2018 | Vikings | Minneapolis | 41-17 | Vikings lead 21-0 after one quarter; Kirk Cousins throws two touchdowns |
| 12/21/2014 | Dolphins | Miami Gardens | 37-35 | Miami edges a two-point shootout |
| 09/19/2010 | Dolphins | Minneapolis | 14-10 | Brett Favre’s Vikings fall at the Metrodome; Miami’s last win in Minnesota |
| 11/19/2006 | Dolphins | Miami Gardens | 24-20 | Jason Taylor’s interception return touchdown helps flip a fourth-quarter deficit |
| 12/21/2002 | Vikings | Minneapolis | 20-17 | Vikings’ last win over Miami before 2018 |
Miami leads the all-time Vikings vs Dolphins series 8-6 across 14 meetings, and the two most recent games both went to Minnesota, ending a three-game Dolphins winning streak that began in 2006. The Vikings’ longest streak in the series is also three, from 1994 to 2002. That kind of back-and-forth has defined the modern series, and there is little reason to expect anything different on Sunday.
A Few Things Worth Pointing Out
- The only playoff meeting was a big one: Miami’s 24-7 win in Super Bowl VIII on January 13, 1974, where Larry Csonka ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
- The first meeting, on October 1, 1972, was the closest Miami came to losing during its perfect season, a 16-14 Dolphins win.
- Before the 2022 win, the Vikings’ only victory in Miami had come in December 1976, a 29-7 result.
- Miami’s last win in Minnesota came in September 2010, and the Dolphins are 0-1 at U.S. Bank Stadium after the 2018 loss.
- Four seasons of roster turnover have passed since the last meeting, and neither head coach was in charge in 2022. Mike McDaniel was in Miami then.
Dolphins vs Vikings Storyline: The Brian Flores Reunion
There’s trivia in this Dolphins vs Vikings matchup that has nothing to do with the standings. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores was the Dolphins’ head coach from 2019 to 2021, taking Miami to a 10-6 record in 2020, the franchise’s first winning season since 2016, and 9-8 in 2021, which included a seven-game winning streak after a 1-7 start. Now he is back with a defense that has been nearly impossible to move the ball against.
The reunion goes beyond Flores. Van Ginkel spent five seasons in Miami (2019 to 2023), growing from a fifth-round pick into a cornerstone, and since arriving in Minnesota in 2024 he has four interceptions, 21.5 sacks and 39 quarterback hits. Van Noy had a strong 2020 in aqua and orange, with six sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Nobody in the league office planned any of this, but it adds seasoning to an otherwise lopsided Week 4 game.
Three Eras of the Series
Era 1: The Early Meetings (1972 to 1976). Miami’s perfect-season scare, the Super Bowl VIII win, and the Vikings’ 29-7 win in 1976.
Era 2: The Shootout Years (1979 to 2014). Miami won in 1979, 1982 and 1988. Minnesota answered with a 38-35 thriller in 1994 and a 13-7 grinder in 2000, then Miami took 2006, 2010 and 2014.
Era 3: The Modern Matchups (2018 to Present). The Vikings snapped a losing streak with a 41-17 win in 2018 and then won in Miami in 2022. Sunday adds a new page, with one side leaning on a quarterback still settling in and the other hunting for an offensive identity without its best player.
The Last Time These Two Teams Met: Vikings 24, Dolphins 16 (Oct. 16, 2022)
With Sunday’s game still to be played, the last real Vikings vs Dolphins meeting remains the best snapshot available, and Minnesota fans remember it fondly.
At Hard Rock Stadium, Minnesota built a 16-3 lead behind a field goal, a touchdown pass to Irv Smith Jr. and a 2-yard touchdown catch by Adam Thielen. Miami started third-string quarterback Skylar Thompson, who left with a thumb injury, and stayed in it once Teddy Bridgewater came in. Bridgewater threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Mike Gesicki to make it 16-10, and Miami drove again, only for Jaylen Waddle to fumble. On the next possession, Dalvin Cook broke a 53-yard touchdown run that effectively ended it.
Passing Leaders
- Kirk Cousins (MIN): 20 of 30, 175 yards, 2 TD
- Teddy Bridgewater (MIA): 4-yard touchdown pass to Gesicki after relieving Thompson
Rushing Leaders
- Dalvin Cook (MIN): 53-yard touchdown run to seal the win
- Raheem Mostert (MIA): 14 carries, 49 yards
Receiving Leaders
- Justin Jefferson (MIN): 6 catches, 107 yards
- Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Mike Gesicki (MIA): at least seven catches each
That win moved Minnesota to 5-1 and gave it control of the NFC North. Four years later, Jefferson is still the Vikings’ most dangerous weapon, though he will watch this one from the sideline.
Where Both Teams Stand Entering Sunday’s Game
Three weeks in, the records are about as far apart as they can be. In the NFC North, the Minnesota Vikings standings show a 2-0 divisional record, while Miami sits at 0-3 overall. Before the numbers below, it helps to frame this Vikings vs Dolphins matchup and the Miami Dolphins vs Minnesota Vikings match player stats snapshot simply: Minnesota’s pass rush against Miami’s offensive line is likely to decide the game.
| Stat (per game) | Minnesota Vikings | Miami Dolphins |
| Record | 3-0 | 0-3 |
| Points scored | 23.7 | 12.0 |
| Points allowed | 13.7 | 28.7 |
| Passing yards | 137.0 | 192.3 |
| Rushing yards | 101.3 | 98.3 |
| Passer rating | 82.1 | 74.1 |
| Third-down conversion | 30.2% | 41.5% |
| Red-zone conversion | 80.0% | 28.6% |
| Sacks recorded (season) | 14 (league high) | 0 |
| Current betting line | Vikings -11.5 | Dolphins +11.5 |
Neither quarterback is the main reason for his team’s record. Murray is 18 of 34 for 186 yards with a touchdown and two picks, and Willis is 49 of 86 for 627 yards with a touchdown and two picks. If this Miami Dolphins vs Minnesota Vikings match player stats trend holds, the sack and turnover columns will decide it, since Minnesota has 14 sacks and Miami has none.
The Minnesota Vikings players to watch are Murray, Jones, Addison, Turner, Van Ginkel and Cashman. The Miami Dolphins players to watch are Willis, Gordon, Washington, Bell and Rodriguez. Minnesota’s offense has its own problems, but Miami allows 231 passing yards per game and a 118.9 opposing passer rating, which could be the tonic Murray needs. The Vikings convert just 30.2 percent of third downs, while Miami allows 48.1, so that is another place Minnesota can improve.
Coaching Matchup: O’Connell vs. Hafley
The coaching angle in Minnesota Vikings vs Miami Dolphins is a study in contrasts. Neither coach is in the same position this week. Kevin O’Connell is in his fifth season in Minnesota with an unbeaten record and a defense covering for an inconsistent offense. Jeff Hafley is in his first season in Miami, building something out of a very young roster.
| Factor | Minnesota (O’Connell) | Miami (Hafley) |
| Experience level | 5th season with Minnesota | 1st season with Miami |
| Quarterback situation | Kyler Murray starting, Wentz as backup | Malik Willis starting |
| Offensive identity | Run-first, play-action, big plays on special teams | Mobile quarterback, young receivers |
| Defensive identity | Flores’ pressure-heavy scheme | Developing, rookie-heavy |
| 2025 result | 9-8 | 7-10 |
| Program status | 3-0, trying to sharpen the offense | 0-3, evaluation year |
O’Connell has spent the week talking about adapting the offense after injuries and leaning on the run game. Both men know the long-term view matters more than any one Sunday.
Betting Angle: What the Odds Say
The line for this Minnesota Vikings vs Miami Dolphins game has moved with the injury news, and the Dolphins vs Vikings total has dropped along with it. Early numbers had Minnesota at around -9.5 with a total near 39.5. By Saturday, BetMGM listed the Vikings at -11.5 (-108) and the Dolphins at +11.5 (-110), with moneylines of Vikings -650 and Dolphins +500. Several books have the total around 38.5.
The Vikings vs Dolphins trends help explain why. The Vikings are 3-0 against the spread this season and 7-3 in their last 10, and the under is 8-2 in their last 10 games. The Dolphins have not covered a spread this season and are 3-7 in their last 10. Squawka’s model gives Minnesota an 85 percent win probability and a projected margin of about 12 points.
There is a contrarian view. One analyst argues the Vikings are overvalued after three narrow wins and likes Miami at +11.5, and Jefferson’s absence makes big plays harder to come by for Murray. Anyone leaning on the Miami Dolphins vs Minnesota Vikings match player stats before betting should weigh the turnover and sack numbers heavily, since both favor Minnesota. This is analysis, not betting advice.
Prediction: Dolphins vs Vikings
The expert picks for Vikings vs Dolphins are almost unanimous. Pete Prisco of CBS Sports has Vikings 27, Dolphins 10. Bill Bender of Sporting News has Vikings 26, Dolphins 14, and Vinnie Iyer, also at Sporting News, has Vikings 23, Dolphins 14. NFL.com’s panel went five for five on Minnesota, ESPN’s went 11 for 11, and The Athletic’s went seven for seven. Squawka projects a 24-13 Vikings win.
My Dolphins vs Vikings projection is a controlled, defense-driven home win: Vikings 26, Dolphins 12. In Minnesota Vikings vs Miami Dolphins, the pass rush should create two or three turnovers against a Willis who has struggled under pressure. Jones should carry the offense on the ground, and the Minnesota Vikings players who matter most are Turner and Jones, and Murray should get at least one deep shot to Addison. Miami’s best path is to control the clock the way it did against Kansas City and use Willis’ legs, but without Achane and Douglas the Dolphins have fewer ways to finish drives. Check the final inactives before kickoff.
Where to Watch Minnesota Vikings vs Miami Dolphins
If you’re wondering where to watch Minnesota Vikings vs Miami Dolphins, here is the full breakdown.
- Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026
- Kickoff: 4:05 p.m. ET / 3:05 p.m. CT / 1:05 p.m. PT / 9:05 p.m. BST / 1:35 a.m. IST (Monday, October 5)
- Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- National broadcast (U.S.): FOX
- Streaming (U.S.): NFL+ for live local games on mobile, and NFL Sunday Ticket for out-of-market viewers
- Outside the U.S.: NFL Game Pass on DAZN, with Sky Sports carrying coverage in the UK
- Highlights: NFL.com and the league’s social channels post recaps shortly after the final whistle
That covers where to watch Minnesota Vikings vs Miami Dolphins whether you’re in the United States, the UK, India or anywhere else. On gameday, the Miami Dolphins game today starts at 4:05 p.m. ET, and Indian viewers will want to plan for a very late night. Given how rarely these teams meet, replays of this Dolphins vs Vikings game will be popular. Fans who also track NFL Week 4 2026 can use the same sources for the rest of the slate, and the NFL Week 4 2026 scoreboard will update live.
What’s Next for Both Teams
Minnesota travels to New Orleans in Week 5, then gets a Week 6 bye that will let Jefferson and the rest of the injured group recover. A win over Miami would keep the Minnesota Vikings standings spotless at 4-0, with a chance to build a cushion in the NFC North. The next item on the Minnesota Vikings schedule is that New Orleans trip, and the Minnesota Vikings games after the bye will show whether the offense has caught up.
Miami’s goals are simpler: stay competitive, develop the young players and avoid an 0-4 hole. The Dolphins host the Bengals in Week 5, take their bye, and then visit the Jets in Week 7, their first divisional game. That is the next real item on the Miami Dolphins schedule. A Dolphins vs Vikings upset would be the biggest win of Hafley’s tenure so far, several Miami Dolphins players would have a breakout moment, and the Miami Dolphins vs Minnesota Vikings result will shape how both fan bases feel heading into the first bye.
Read Also: cincinnati bengals vs jacksonville jaguars | Chicago Bears vs New York Jets Match Player Stats
Quick FAQs
Miami, 8-6 across 14 meetings, including Super Bowl VIII. Minnesota has won the last two.
October 16, 2022. Minnesota won 24-16 in Miami Gardens behind Dalvin Cook’s 53-yard touchdown run.
Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 4:05 p.m. ET (9:05 p.m. BST, 1:35 a.m. IST Monday).
FOX in the U.S., NFL+ for streaming, and NFL Game Pass on DAZN outside the U.S.
No. Jefferson was ruled out with a sprained ankle suffered in Week 3 at Tampa Bay.
No. Achane tore his ACL in Week 3 and is on injured reserve for the season.
The table above covers the key numbers, and NFL.com and ESPN update stats after the game.
Source: NFL
