The Minnesota Vikings are 3-0, but their offense hasn't gotten off the ground so far in 2026. Through three weeks, the Vikings' offense ranks dead last in yards. The unit is averaging 4.3 yards per play, and it won't get much help, with Justin Jefferson ruled out in Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins.
Kyler Murray completed 15/29 passes for 168 yards, one touchdown, and an interception last week against the Buccaneers. It was his first full game since last October, which could explain some of the rust.
But at some point, Minnesota's offense needs to pull its own weight and catch up with a defense that ranks first in the league in EPA/play allowed and DVOA. Can Sunday be a "get-right" game against a Dolphins defense that is tied for last in EPA/play allowed and alone
in last for defensive DVOA?
3 Keys for the Vikings' offense against the Dolphins in Week 4
Spread the ball around
With Jefferson having already been ruled out, the Vikings' game plan can account for his absence. Jordan Addison had a strong day last week, catching five passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. Besides Jefferson, who caught two passes for 32 yards on Minnesota's opening drive, the only other receiver to catch a pass was Jauan Jennings, who caught one pass for one yard.
Aaron Jones caught five passes for 34 yards, while T.J. Hockenson caught two passes for 11 yards. Miami is allowing 9.1 yards per pass, so receivers should be open. Getting everyone involved while Jefferson is out could ignite the rest of the offense not just on Sunday, but for the rest of the season.
Give Murray time to throw
Murray took three sacks on 11 pressures on 34 dropbacks against the Buccaneers. His sacks seemed to result from holding the ball too long and being indecisive, rather than the offensive line breaking down.
Much of this falls on Murray, but Minnesota's offensive line should hold up against a Miami defense that hasn't registered a sack in three games. The Dolphins have pressured quarterbacks on only 26.3% of dropbacks, the third-worst rate in the league. If Murray takes multiple sacks, there would be major concerns not only about the Vikings' offensive line, but also about Murray's pocket presence.
Protect the football
As usual, I will preach ball protection, but that's especially important against a defense that doesn't do much else well. The Dolphins have three takeaways, which rank in the middle of the pack. Miami hasn't proven to do much well on defense, but takeaways could give their offense short fields, preventing the Vikings' defense from playing with the advantage that could put the Dolphins away early.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 3 Keys for the Vikings' offense against the Dolphins in Week 4
