The Miami Dolphins (0-3) and Minnesota Vikings (3-0) square off Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET (FOX). Let's analyze NFL odds around the Dolphins at Vikings odds and make our expert NFL picks and predictions for the best bets.
Miami lost star RB De'Von Achane to a knee injury on its first drive last week but hung tough with the Chiefs before Kansas City (-9.5) pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 24-10 (Under 45) road victory last Sunday. Dolphins backup RB Ollie Gordon II ran for 41 yards and 1 TD on 17 carries, though it was QB Malik Willis who led the team in rushing with 56 yards on 9 carries. Willis struggled through the air, hitting 20 of 36 passes for 210 yards with 1 INT.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes had a fairly efficient afternoon, hitting 20 of 24 passes for 246 yards and 2 TDs with 1 INT. The Dolphins held NFL rushing leader RB Kenneth Walker III to 70 yards on 18 carries, though he did score a TD.
Defense and special teams again ruled the day for the Vikings in a 23-16 victory over the host Buccaneers last Sunday. The Vikings held the Bucs to 57 yards rushing, recorded 6 sacks and snagged 2 INTs. WR Myles Price returned a punt 86 yards for a TD, while K Will Reichard was 3 for 3 on FG attempts, including a 56-yarder. Vikings QB Kyler Murray struggled in his return to the lineup after suffering a concussion in Week 1, completing 15 of 29 passes for 168 yards and 1 TD with 1 INT. WR Jordan Addison led the Vikings with 5 receptions for 90 yards and 1 TD as All-Pro WR Justin Jefferson was knocked out of the game in the first quarter with a right ankle injury after 2 catches for 32 yards.
The Dolphins lead the all-time series vs. the Vikings 8-6. The Vikings have won the past 2 matchups, most recently, 24-16, at Miami on Oct. 16, 2022. No skill-position players currently on the Dolphins roster caught or carried the ball that day. Minnesota's Jefferson had 6 catches for 107 yards.
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Dolphins at Vikings odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 1:25 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Dolphins +425 (bet $100 to win $425) | Vikings -550 (bet $550 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Dolphins +9.5 (-105) | Vikings -9.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 38.5 (O: -110| U: -108)
Dolphins at Vikings key injuries
DOLPHINS
- RB De'Von Achane (ACL) out
- EDGE Robert Beal Jr. (hamstring) out
- WR Caleb Douglas (ankle) out
VIKINGS
- CB Charles Demmings (hamstring) out
- WR Justin Jefferson (ankle) out
- P Brett Thorson (hamstring) out
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Dolphins at Vikings picks and predictions
Prediction
Vikings 16, Dolphins 13
Moneyline
PASS.
The more I think about this game, the more I think the winless Dolphins have a fighting chance, especially now that Jefferson has been ruled out for the Vikings.
Even with Jefferson, the Vikings have been the worst offense in the league, averaging 238.3 yards per game. The passing game is averaging 137 ypg, also a league worst, while their running game is middle of the pack (101.3 ypg).
If this game were in Miami, I'd be tempted to pick the Dolphins straight up.
Against the spread
BET DOLPHINS +9.5 (-105).
Former Dolphins coach and current Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores will want to do everything in his power to stick it to Miami after leaving the organization on bad terms. The Dolphins haven't scored more than 13 points in a game and I don't think this is the week they break that streak.
But I don't trust this Vikings offense against a Miami defense that, while not good, hasn't been the utter disaster that some expected. After allowing Las Vegas to rush for 130 yards, the Dolphins defense stiffened against the run vs. the 49ers (95 yards) and Chiefs (88 yards). The pass defense is vulnerable, but can the Vikings take advantage? In the 5 quarters we've seen Murray leading the Vikings offense, he hasn't looked sharp, completing 18 of 34 passes for 186 yards with 1 TD and 2 INTs.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 38.5 (-110).
Remember that 9-3 Vikings win over the Bears a couple weeks back? This game could look a lot like that. These were already two of the worst offenses in the league and now they're each missing their best player.
Best prop bet
BOTH TEAMS TO MAKE 2+ FIELD GOALS (+320)
I love the value on this one because it would appear points will be hard to come by. They've got to take the points when they can. The Vikings have made 3 FGs in each of their past two games, while the Dolphins have made 2 FGs in 2 of their 3 games.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings odds, picks and predictions
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