MINNEAPOLIS — Let’s talk about the obvious storyline for this Dolphins-Vikings game — Brian Flores, the blitz-happy Minnesota defensive coordinator and ex-Miami coach, who is suing the Dolphins and the NFL for discrimination.
Flo, as he’s known, would likely love to stick it to the Dolphins and owner Steve Ross in Sunday’s game at U.S. Bank Stadium.
In March, the Supreme Court refused to intervene, meaning the case can go to trial instead of arbitration. The NFL desired arbitration. Flores was the Dolphins coach from 2019-21 and had a 24-25 record before being fired and filing the lawsuit, alleging the league is “rife with racism.” Flores also alleged that Ross offered to pay him to lose games in 2019 so the Dolphins could get a higher draft pick in 2020, a move known as “tanking.”
It’s against this backdrop that the winless Dolphins (0-3) travel to Minnesota (3-0) to face the Vikings, who also feature edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, a Dolphins draftee who the team declined to re-sign in 2024 partly because it suspected he hadn’t recovered from a foot injury. Van Ginkel, who has 3.0 sacks this season, tied for eighth in the league, earned All Pro honors and made the Pro Bowl in the 2024 season.
Flores, known for his propensity to blitz early and often, leads a voracious defense that leads the NFL in sacks (14) and third-down defense (allowing only 22.7% of attempts to be converted), is tied for the league lead in interceptions (four), ranks second in scoring defense (13.7 points per game allowed) and is fourth in rushing defense (85.7 yards allowed per game).
Flores’ defense faces a sluggish Dolphins offense that lost Pro Bowl running back De’Von Achane, arguably its best player, to a season-ending knee injury last week and struggles to score and protect the quarterback. Miami is 26th in total offense (290.7 ypg), tied for 31st in scoring offense (12.0 ppg) and tied for 25th in sacks allowed (nine).
The Dolphins have had limited success running the ball but now that job belongs primarily to unproven running backs Jaylen Wright (three carries, 10 yards) and Ollie Gordon II (20 carries, 48 yards, one touchdown).
The offensive line, which has led the way for a ground game that ranks 20th in the league (98.3 ypg), will have to do most of the heavy lifting for the rushing attack.
Actually, it could turn out that quarterback Malik Willis (one touchdown, two interceptions, 74.1 passer rating, 101 yards rushing, 5.9 yards per carry, one touchdown) is the most effective runner on the roster.
But Willis will have a tough job dealing with blitzes while utilizing a wide receivers crew that will be without rookie third-round pick Caleb Douglas (ankle) for the second consecutive game.
Of course, the game’s biggest break injury-wise benefits the Dolphins. The Vikings will be without All Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle), arguably the best in the league at his position.
Still, this game represents a huge challenge for Miami.
Minnesota is the fourth undefeated team the Dolphins will face this season. The Dolphins’ previous three opponents — the Las Vegas Raiders, San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs — are all 3-0 entering Week 4 of the season.
“It makes it I think exciting for some of our young guys who are getting to play and gain experience against some really good teams,” Hafley said. “I mean, this is another one coming up that’s 3-0 and to get a chance to go there in I think one of the better atmospheres in the NFL with a really good team and a really good staff, I think it’s a huge challenge. But I think they’ve embraced it, I know they have. I think we’ve all embraced it.”
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As Hafley referenced, it’ll be loud at Minnesota’s domed stadium. The Dolphins say that won’t be much of an issue, and for some players it could be an asset.
“Honestly, it’s like the best environment when you can’t hear yourself talk and then you’re just looking at the ball, silent count, everything,” left tackle Patrick Paul said. “I think that’s the best environment of all time.”
The Dolphins could get a slight advantage defensively, where they face the league’s lowest-rated offense (238.3 ypg). Perhaps the Dolphins, the NFL’s only team without a sack, can rattle Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray while also limiting wide receiver Jordan Addison and running back Aaron Jones.
Still, the big thing to watch Sunday will be the Vikings defense vs. the Dolphins offense.
Flores’ reputation for producing an aggressive, disruptive defense is real, and it’s still alive in New England, where he worked before joining the Dolphins.
Edge rusher Josh Uche said remnants of the Flores defense were present when he played in New England.
“For sure,” he said. “Everybody in New England talked about B-Flo. I don’t know if they ever wanted him to leave, honestly. But, his style of coaching, his attitude, bro, he’s got that gangster-type attitude. That’s that gritty New England type of style that he brings, and he adds his own flare to it.”