The Minnesota Vikings beat the Miami Dolphins 15-10 in Week 4 to remain undefeated. It was another defensive battle, with Will Reichard making all five field goals while the Vikings’ defense kept the Dolphins from taking control. The win moved Minnesota to 4-0 for the 11th time in franchise history.
Minnesota entered Week 4 already climbing across several rankings after beating Tampa Bay. Now, with another win in the books, the Vikings remain one of only three undefeated teams in the NFL. The question is no longer whether Minnesota deserves respect, but how high it should be ranked despite an offense that is still searching for consistency.
The Vikings offense has scored only seven touchdowns through four games, and they failed to score an offensive touchdown against Miami. Still, Brian Flores’ defense and Will Reichard’s kicking have kept Kevin O’Connell’s team perfect. How much should an undefeated record outweigh Minnesota’s offensive concerns?
Where the Vikings Are Ranked by Major Media Outlets
FOX Sports: 10(+2)
Bleacher Report: 6(No change)
The Sporting News: 6(-5)
NBC Sports: 8(+4)
What Do Experts Say About the Vikings?
“Congratulations, Vikings fans. You wore me down. Your team is in the top 10. But I am putting Minnesota here grudgingly and with a nod to defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who might be the only reason the club is ranked this high. I am completely unimpressed with how the Vikings squeaked by the Dolphins at home, just like I am unimpressed with the play of QB Kyler Murray and the rest of this sputtering offense. It’s averaging 15.7 points over the past three games and was held to five field goals against what might be the worst team in the NFL,” Ralph Vacchiano, FOX Sports
“Yes, Minnesota is one of three unbeaten teams. Yes, it has an elite defense. But I’m not yet sold on this team being as legit as its record might indicate. I need to see more from Kyler Murray and the entire Vikings offense, who just barely beat the worst team in football,” Taylor Wirth, NBC Sports
“The Minnesota Vikings had the least impressive Week 4 win, eking one out over the winless Miami Dolphins, who lost their best offensive playmaker, running back De’Von Achane, for the season.
Justin Jefferson didn’t play last week, but even with him on the field, Kyler Murray has struggled in head coach Kevin O’Connell’s system. He’s thrown just one touchdown pass since he returned from a concussion in Week 3.
It’s hard to hit the panic alarm on anything for a 4-0 team, but the Vikings need more of their starting quarterback if they want to be taken seriously. Carson Wentz may be the better option,” Maurice Moton, Bleacher Report
“The Vikings are getting the job done with defense and field goals while they are working on kinks around Kyler Murray in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. The Saints and Colts are up next around a bye before they need to face tougher competition,” Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News
The Dolphins Were a Favorable Matchup, so the Next Test Matters More
The Dolphins entered the game at 0-3 and finished it 0-4. The Dolphins managed only 198 total yards, while their offense struggled to consistently move the ball. That makes Minnesota’s win valuable, but not necessarily proof that the Vikings have solved their offensive problems. The next challenge is a road trip to New Orleans to face the Saints in Week 5.
Kyler Murray completed 27 of 37 passes for 247 yards against Miami and added 16 rushing yards. He was more effective late in the game, particularly when he started leaning on T.J. Hockenson. But he also took four sacks and the Vikings still failed to score an offensive touchdown. That is the biggest question surrounding Minnesota entering Week 5.
