Another unimpressive offensive performance. We are good at FGs, but our offense is weak and inconsistent and unable to finish drives with TDs. Penalties filled the game from beginning to end? Another very nice defensive performance. We were just lucky to win. Here are my 3 Ups and 3 Downs for the game:
1. Malik Willis’ amazing closed-fist attempted pass recovered by the Vikings and then challenged to get possession. Great challenge!
2. Glad to see Hockenson making consistent and valuable contributions to our offense today. I hope they continue using him in this way.
3. The final drive and the smart play to go down to seal the win with three kneel-downs.
1. Stupid and careless offensive penalties throughout the game?
2. Third-and-1 sack? Poor call, poor execution.
3. Terrible and completely unacceptable Vikings punt leads directly to Dolphins TD.
A disappointing performance, and we were lucky to win. I hope we can fix our offense? Looking forward to the Saints!
The Vikings are one of three teams to open the 2026 season 4-0, joining the Chiefs, who outlasted the 3-1 Raiders 30-27 in a fourth quarter with 34 combined points Sunday, and the 49ers, who defeated the Broncos 24-14.
In the NFC North, the Bears are 3-1, with their Week 2 loss to Minnesota as the lone blemish and in spite of starting three quarterbacks through four games.
Detroit is 2-2 and in third place because one of Green Bay’s two losses was in the division (Week 1 at Minnesota).
Kudos to the Vikings assistants and process that has been established under Head Coach Kevin O’Connell. The group has done well in having a good pulse on whether to challenge a call. The takeaway helped Minnesota’s defense post a shutout in the first half.
Given Murray’s prior history of connecting with tight ends, I had been wondering if a day like Sunday was on the way. Hockenson caught all 13 of his targets and totaled 119 yards, good for his fourth 100-yard game as a Viking, which tied the franchise record for such games by a tight end (set by the late Joe Senser).
The cosmetics of the game would have changed a bit with the touchdown but personally I appreciated the offense closing out the game in victory formation and saving some snaps from the defense.
The Dolphins totaled 1:00 of possession time in the fourth quarter, which could help Minnesota’s defense recharge for a higher-octane opponent in the Saints, who host the Falcons to conclude Week 4 on Monday Night Football.
Miami ran three plays and netted 2 yards on its only drive in the fourth quarter, which ended with Harrison Smith breaking up a deep pass on third-and-8. Instead of going for his 40th career interception and risking a catch by Chris Bell, Smith made sure to knock down the football.
The Vikings totaled 11 penalties for 85 yards, which is not a good recipe. O’Connell said he was most disappointed in the pre-snap infractions that kept putting the offense off schedule.