The Miami Dolphins face the Minnesota Vikings later today in a Week 4 NFL showdown. Miami enters the game 0-3 but is showing signs of life. The Vikings are 3-0 despite an offense that has struggled early in the season.
Miami faces an uphill battle after losing running back De’Von Achane to a torn ACL last week. The Dolphins’ offense was built around their Pro Bowl rusher, and now they will turn to Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II to fill the void. Will it be enough to pull off an upset this afternoon?
What should we expect to see from the running backs?
It is time to make our predictions for the game and on some of the available prop bets.
All odds provides by FanDuel Sportsbook.
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Dolphins at Vikings (+9.5)
Have the Dolphins grown enough over the first three weeks to pull off the win against Minnesota? Probably not. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is likely going to continue his blitz-happy start to the season as he faces the team that fired him as head coach after the 2021 season. It might be an ugly day for the Miami offense.
But the Vikings’ offense is not exactly setting the world on fire. Minnesota should do enough to win this game, but if Miami can find any semblance of a running game behind Wright and Gordon, they should be able to keep the game close against the Vikings, who statistically are the worst offensive team in the league.
I will take the points and have Miami covering in this one.
Prop Bets
Malik Willis passing yards: 169.5
Over: -113
Under: -113
Willis is averaging 209 passing yards through the first three games, but Flores is likely going to throw everything he has at the Dolphins. The lack of Achane and the young players along the offensive line and in the receiving corps could make this a long day for Willis. The Vikings have allowed 231 yards per game on average this year, so I think Willis will be able to get to around 200 yards passing – giving him the over here – but that will only be possible if Miami dedicates additional blockers to keep the quarterback upright.
Jaylen Wright rushing and receiving yards: 37.5
Over : -113
Under: -113
The oddsmakers are not giving Wright much love here. Assuming Wright is the primary option to replace Achane, and Miami’s offense will not suddenly change to the point where it ignores the running game, Wright should be able to reach 38 combined rushing and receiving yards.
Kyler Murray interceptions: 0.5
Over : +124
Under: -1
Murray has thrown an interception in each of his two games played this season. Miami’s defense may not have a sack yet this year – something that will hopefully change today – but they do have three interceptions already. Murray will make a mistake at some point and the Dolphins will come away with their fourth pick of the year.
