Toronto Star
· collected 2026-10-05 · by Dave Campbell The Associated Press
Story summary
In Week 4 of NFL action, the Minnesota Vikings stayed undefeated with a close 15-10 victory over the struggling Miami Dolphins, maintaining their flawless record at 4-0. The Vikings' defense dominated, keeping Miami scoreless in every quarter except for the first. Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis struggled to connect with receivers against Minnesota’s blitzing strategy, and the team's offense managed only 85 passing yards, its lowest output since 2010.
T.J. Hockenson sealed the win by securing a critical third-down reception that allowed the Vikings to kneel out the clock, despite missing an opportunity for a touchdown when he slid short of the goal line. The result was somewhat bittersweet for bettors as Miami covered the 10.5-point spread, surprising those who had heavily favored Minnesota given the Dolphins' 0-4 record and league-worst scoring statistics entering the game.
This win further solidified Minnesota’s position atop the NFL standings, while Miami continues to face a difficult road ahead with star running back De’Von Achane lost for the season due to injury.
Written for “Dolphins Vs Vikings Game Highlights” on 2026-10-06,
grounded in this article and the 4 other(s) covering the same event.
The unbeaten Minnesota Vikings won another game behind a suffocating defense and sterling special teams, while their offense remained disjointed and uninspiring for a restless home crowd.
asserted
offense → win → crowd
Lost in the din of another grind-it-out win and the mild booing sparked by a series of stalled possessions, however, was a promising fourth-quarter performance by Kyler Murray when the Vikings needed their passing attack the most.
asserted
Vikings → lose → attack
Maybe it’ll prove to be a mirage.
asserted
it → prove → ?
More likely, the results over the remainder of the season will land somewhere in the middle.
asserted
results → land → middle
Nonetheless, Murray and his teammates gained some vital steam with their finish against Miami on Sunday that gave the Vikings a 4-0 record.
asserted
that → gain → record
After completing 12 of 13 passes for 112 yards in the fourth quarter of the 15-10 victory, helping the Vikings get eight first downs and hold the ball for 14 of 15 minutes, Murray said he felt “present” in a way he hadn’t experienced yet with his new club.
asserted
he → complete → club
“I definitely felt like the game was moving slower,” Murray said.
asserted
Murray → feel → ?
“I was a little more in control, not perfect by any means, but to be able to get that many reps like I did today, play four quarters again, see defenses, see coverages, see guys moving around and getting to the field zones in man coverages, all that, you can’t put a price tag on that playing this position.
asserted
you → get → position
I think we’re only going to get better.”
asserted
we → think → ?
Murray went 27 of 37 for 249 yards, including six throwaways and three drops by intended receivers.
asserted
Murray → go → receivers
The combination of the game-long commitment by the Dolphins to playing split-safety coverage and the absence of star Justin Jefferson made the intermediate and deep passes more difficult.
asserted
passes → play → Jefferson
Murray repeatedly held the ball in the pocket too long, taking four sacks against a team that had none over the first three games.
asserted
that → hold → games
But he leaned hard on tight end T.J. Hockenson and connected with Jordan Addison for a crucial 27-yard gain on a tough throw to an in-cutting route at midfield with about four minutes left.
asserted
he → lean → minutes
“I thought it said a lot about Kyler and the group as a whole, fighting through some adversity there,” coach Kevin O’Connell said.
asserted
O’Connell → think → adversity
Murray’s preseason work on a demanding playbook was affected some by the competition with J.J. McCarthy, limiting his turns with the first team until he was announced as the starter on Aug. 11.
asserted
he → demand → Aug.
Then he was sidelined in the first quarter of his debut by a concussion that kept him out the following week, too.
asserted
that → sideline → him
In Murray’s return, Jefferson had an injury force an early exit.
asserted
injury → have → exit
The duo has played only 18 snaps together through four games.
asserted
duo → play → games
The Vikings, not coincidentally, are the only team in the last 90 years, according to Sportradar data, to start a season 4-0 and have at least two games with no offensive touchdowns.
uncertain
Vikings → accord → touchdowns
“There’s no lack of confidence by any means,” Murray said.
asserted
Murray → ’ → means
“Obviously we’ve got to be better and cleaner, and we will be.”
asserted
we → get → ?
What’s working
The pass defense was in prime form against the Dolphins, limiting Malik Willis to nine completions in 17 attempts.
asserted
defense → work → attempts
The Vikings lead the NFL in sacks per pass attempt and rank fourth in yards allowed per pass play.
asserted
Vikings → lead → play
What needs help
The Vikings, on the flip side, are second-worst in the league in sacks allowed per pass attempt.
asserted
Vikings → need → attempt
Hockenson tied his career high with 13 receptions for 119 yards, his fifth career game with a 100% catch rate.
asserted
Hockenson → tie → rate
Eight of his receptions went for first downs, and he picked up more blocking responsibility, too, after fellow tight end Josh Oliver suffered a torn biceps that likely ended his season.
asserted
that → go → season
With his fourth 100-yard game for the Vikings, Hockenson tied Joe Senser for most by a tight end in team history.
asserted
Hockenson → tie → history
With rookie Brett Thorson out for a second straight game because of a hamstring injury, veteran Johnny Hekker had punts that grossed only 31 and 20 yards.
asserted
that → have → yards
The Vikings got some bad news Monday on left guard Donovan Jackson, who likely will miss the rest of the regular season with a knee injury.
asserted
who → get → injury
Left tackle Christian Darrisaw is in the concussion protocol and uncertain for this week, along with Jefferson and his sprained ankle.
asserted
Darrisaw → sprain → Jefferson
Key number
26.1 — The percentage of opponent possessions against the Vikings that have resulted in points, the best rate in the league.
Up next
The Vikings play this week at New Orleans, where a noisy stadium could pose a problem with their susceptibility to pre-snap penalties.
uncertain
stadium → result → penalties
The offense had five of them against Miami, including an illegal formation call that negated a 21-yard pass from Murray to Addison in the first quarter.
asserted
that → have → quarter
The Aporia
