4 Key Vikings vs. Dolphins

The Minnesota Vikings are back home at US Bank Stadium in Week 4, and for a consecutive week they will defend their unbeaten record against a winless team. This time, the Vikings welcome the Miami Dolphins as Kevin O’Connell’s team looks for the win that will take them to 4-0.

4 Key Vikings vs. Dolphins

Miami has had a tough start to the season, made even worse when star running back De’Von Achane was lost to injury last week. The expectation is this will be an easy win for the Vikings but we should know better, the phrase “trap game” exists for a reason. Minnesota needs to be on their game and show significant improvement on offense. Here are my key Vikings for this week’s game against the Dolphins.

Jordan Addison

Minnesota had good news regarding Justin Jefferson’s ankle injury this week, but he’s not able to play. The Vikings’ offense needs Jordan Addison to step up just like he did last week. There wasn’t a lot to get excited about the Vikings’ offense with last week but one Addison-inspired touchdown drive was enough for the Vikings to win the game. Addison had five catches for 90 yards including a 41-yard touchdown grab. Addison has proved he can handle WR1 duties when required with some of his best games coming when Jefferson has been absent.

Will Reichard

When your offense isn’t quite in the groove, it helps to have a reliable, accurate kicker who can hit from long distance. That is what the Vikings have in Will Reichard. Maybe this is the game it all clicks on offense and Reichard is only needed to chip over some extra points. I’m not convinced that will happen and Reichard continuing to rack up the points from field goals is likely to still be an important factor in Minnesota’s chances of winning the game.

Jalen Redmond

The Dolphins might have lost Achane but I still expect them to want to establish the run. It’s what they did on their lone touchdown drive last week against the Chiefs with Ollie Gordon scoring, but his less than 2.5 yards per rush average wasn’t good. He will be joined by Jaylen Wright this week who is back from injury, with the Dolphins boasting a good run-blocking offensive line. 

Stopping the run and forcing the ball into the hands of Malik Willis is the recipe for success for Minnesota. They just so happen to have the best man for the job right now. The Jalen Redmond success story keeps on rolling, so far this season he leads the league for Pro Football Focus’ run defense grade with an elite score of 90.0. He is the foundational rock, with good support around him that is helping to force teams into third-and-long situations that Brian Flores’ defense thrives on.

Eric Wilson

When the Vikings brought back Eric Wilson last year, I don’t think anyone foresaw just how important he would become to Flores and his defense. He has become a pass rushing menace under the guidance of Flores and after a career-high six sacks last season and he already has 1.5 sacks this year. He also has eight pressures and 13 stops which puts him in the top three of all of three of those defensive statistics for the inside linebacker position.