The Dolphins head to Minnesota at 0-3, still searching for their first win after a 24–10 loss to Kansas City. The Vikings are 3-0, powered by Brian Flores’s aggressive defense and a pass rush featuring rising superstar Dallas Turner. With De’Von Achane out for the year and Jaylen Wright questionable, Miami needs contributions from its remaining backs while helping Malik Willis handle the pressure. Here are six things I’m watching.
1. Brian Flores Will Challenge Miami’s Protection
Former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores has Minnesota’s defense attacking at an extraordinary rate. The Vikings have blitzed on 71% of opposing dropbacks through three games and lead the NFL with 14 sacks.
Miami’s offensive line deserves credit for not allowing a sack against Kansas City. Now, I want to see that group build on their performance against a Vikings unit that constantly tests protection rules and communication.
Willis also has a role in protecting himself. He needs to recognize pressure, take the quick options, and avoid drifting away from clean pockets. Miami cannot let Minnesota consistently turn manageable situations into long-yardage downs.
2. Dallas Turner Is Becoming a Superstar
Dallas Turner is becoming a rising superstar, with 3.5 sacks through the first three games. He gives Miami another major concern beyond the extra rushers Flores sends.
Patrick Paul and Austin Jackson need to be ready for that matchup. Jackson bounced back against Kansas City, and this is another chance to show he can build consistency.
I want to see Slowik help his tackles when necessary through protection adjustments and chips. Those decisions come with a tradeoff, though: keeping another player in protection leaves Willis with fewer receiving options. Miami needs to find the right balance while keeping Turner from taking over the game.
3. Make Minnesota Pay for One-on-One Coverage
The Vikings’ aggression creates opportunities through the air. When Flores sends extra rushers and leaves his defensive backs in one-on-one coverage, Miami’s receivers need to win quickly and give Willis somewhere to throw.
Minnesota ranks 26th in passing yards allowed, but that doesn't mean its pass defense is easy to attack, as it limits opponents’ completion percentage to just 51%. Miami will have opportunities, but it has to execute.
This is a game where the receivers can make a difference. Quick separation can help Willis beat the blitz, while a successful downfield throw can punish Minnesota for leaving a corner isolated. Willis’s deep-ball accuracy remains something I’m watching closely.
4. Gordon and Wright Need to Keep Miami Balanced
With Achane out for the year, Ollie Gordon takes on greater importance against Minnesota’s fourth-ranked run defense. Miami needs productive early-down carries to keep Willis out of the obvious passing situations that favor Flores.
Gordon’s physical approach could help Miami fight for those necessary yards. I want to see the offensive line, particularly the left side, create enough movement to give him opportunities.
Wright is questionable, and his availability matters. If he plays, his speed gives Miami another way to threaten the edge and create explosive runs. If he cannot go, more responsibility falls on Gordon and the remaining backs. Slowik needs to find a workable rushing attack and keep the offense from becoming predictable.
5. Slowik Must Give Willis Clear Answers
This matchup puts pressure on Bobby Slowik to build a plan that helps Willis make decisive reads. Quick throws, screens, and selective pocket movement could help Miami respond to Minnesota’s aggression.
The quarterback and receivers need to recognize the same pressure looks and understand when the ball must come out early. Miami cannot repeatedly ask Willis to wait on longer routes without a reliable answer for extra rushers.
Staying ahead of the chains will be especially important. According to the article, Minnesota is allowing opponents to convert just 23% of third downs. Productive first- and second-down plays could give Miami a better chance to sustain possessions.
6. Make Minnesota Earn Its Points and Finish Your Chances
Minnesota ranks last in passing offense and 16th in rushing offense, yet averages 23.7 points per game. Miami needs to make that offense sustain drives by limiting explosives, tackling well, and avoiding coverage mistakes.
I want to see Jordan Phillips and Chop Robinson build on their encouraging performances against Kansas City. Jacob Rodriguez’s ability to find the football could also help Miami create a possession that changes the game.
On offense, the Dolphins have to protect the ball and finish their opportunities. Minnesota is tied for second in takeaways and allows just 13.7 points per game. Its defense has also allowed touchdowns on only 13% of opponents’ red-zone trips. Miami needs to turn promising drives into touchdowns while avoiding the mistakes that give Minnesota short fields.
The Dolphins head to Minnesota at 0-3, still searching for their first win after a 24–10 loss to Kansas City. The Vikings are 3-0, powered by Brian Flores’s aggressive defense and a pass rush featuring rising superstar Dallas Turner. With De’Von Achane out for the year and Jaylen Wright questionable, Miami needs contributions from its remaining backs while helping Malik Willis handle the pressure. Here are six things I’m watching.
1. Brian Flores Will Challenge Miami’s Protection
Former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores has Minnesota’s defense attacking at an extraordinary rate. The Vikings have blitzed on 71% of opposing dropbacks through three games and lead the NFL with 14 sacks.
Miami’s offensive line deserves credit for not allowing a sack against Kansas City. Now, I want to see that group build on their performance against a Vikings unit that constantly tests protection rules and communication.
Willis also has a role in protecting himself. He needs to recognize pressure, take the quick options, and avoid drifting away from clean pockets. Miami cannot let Minnesota consistently turn manageable situations into long-yardage downs.
2. Dallas Turner Is Becoming a Superstar
Dallas Turner is becoming a rising superstar, with 3.5 sacks through the first three games. He gives Miami another major concern beyond the extra rushers Flores sends.
Patrick Paul and Austin Jackson need to be ready for that matchup. Jackson bounced back against Kansas City, and this is another chance to show he can build consistency.
I want to see Slowik help his tackles when necessary through protection adjustments and chips. Those decisions come with a tradeoff, though: keeping another player in protection leaves Willis with fewer receiving options. Miami needs to find the right balance while keeping Turner from taking over the game.
3. Make Minnesota Pay for One-on-One Coverage
The Vikings’ aggression creates opportunities through the air. When Flores sends extra rushers and leaves his defensive backs in one-on-one coverage, Miami’s receivers need to win quickly and give Willis somewhere to throw.
Minnesota ranks 26th in passing yards allowed, but that doesn't mean its pass defense is easy to attack, as it limits opponents’ completion percentage to just 51%. Miami will have opportunities, but it has to execute.
This is a game where the receivers can make a difference. Quick separation can help Willis beat the blitz, while a successful downfield throw can punish Minnesota for leaving a corner isolated. Willis’s deep-ball accuracy remains something I’m watching closely.
4. Gordon and Wright Need to Keep Miami Balanced
With Achane out for the year, Ollie Gordon takes on greater importance against Minnesota’s fourth-ranked run defense. Miami needs productive early-down carries to keep Willis out of the obvious passing situations that favor Flores.
Gordon’s physical approach could help Miami fight for those necessary yards. I want to see the offensive line, particularly the left side, create enough movement to give him opportunities.
Wright is questionable, and his availability matters. If he plays, his speed gives Miami another way to threaten the edge and create explosive runs. If he cannot go, more responsibility falls on Gordon and the remaining backs. Slowik needs to find a workable rushing attack and keep the offense from becoming predictable.
5. Slowik Must Give Willis Clear Answers
This matchup puts pressure on Bobby Slowik to build a plan that helps Willis make decisive reads. Quick throws, screens, and selective pocket movement could help Miami respond to Minnesota’s aggression.
The quarterback and receivers need to recognize the same pressure looks and understand when the ball must come out early. Miami cannot repeatedly ask Willis to wait on longer routes without a reliable answer for extra rushers.
Staying ahead of the chains will be especially important. According to the article, Minnesota is allowing opponents to convert just 23% of third downs. Productive first- and second-down plays could give Miami a better chance to sustain possessions.
6. Make Minnesota Earn Its Points and Finish Your Chances
Minnesota ranks last in passing offense and 16th in rushing offense, yet averages 23.7 points per game. Miami needs to make that offense sustain drives by limiting explosives, tackling well, and avoiding coverage mistakes.
I want to see Jordan Phillips and Chop Robinson build on their encouraging performances against Kansas City. Jacob Rodriguez’s ability to find the football could also help Miami create a possession that changes the game.
On offense, the Dolphins have to protect the ball and finish their opportunities. Minnesota is tied for second in takeaways and allows just 13.7 points per game. Its defense has also allowed touchdowns on only 13% of opponents’ red-zone trips. Miami needs to turn promising drives into touchdowns while avoiding the mistakes that give Minnesota short fields.
