As the calendar flips to October 1, 2026, the NFL season is in full swing, and Week 4 brings a fascinating matchup with major implications. The Miami Dolphins, still searching for their first win of the season, travel to U.S. Bank Stadium to face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 4:05 p.m. Eastern, and according to the latest odds from FanDuel Sportsbook, the Vikings are favored by 10.5 points. For a Dolphins team in the early stages of a rebuild, this game represents a daunting challenge against a defense coached by former Miami head coach Brian Flores, who now serves as Minnesota's defensive coordinator.
A Rebuild Under Fire
Miami's 0-3 start is not entirely surprising given their brutal schedule. They have faced a gauntlet of contenders, and the road does not get any easier against a Vikings team that has looked dominant at times. The Dolphins' offensive line, already a question mark, will be tested like never before. Flores has dialed up blitzes at a higher rate than any other defensive coordinator in the league, and his unit will look to overwhelm Miami's quarterback and force mistakes. As reported by the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk, the pressure will be relentless, and Miami's ability to protect the passer will be the single biggest factor in determining whether they can keep this game competitive.
Injury Woes Mount for Miami
Making matters worse, the Dolphins recently lost running back De'Von Achane to a season-ending injury. Achane's explosiveness and big-play ability were supposed to be a bright spot in an otherwise rebuilding year. Without him, Miami's offense becomes even more one-dimensional, putting additional strain on the passing game. The Vikings, with their aggressive blitz schemes, will likely stack the box and dare Miami to beat them through the air. It's a recipe for disaster if the Dolphins can't find a way to neutralize the pressure.
Vikings Defense Set to Feast
Minnesota's defense has been a nightmare for opposing offenses, and Flores has them playing with a chip on their shoulder. The Vikings rank near the top of the league in sacks and quarterback hits, and they excel at creating turnovers. Miami's young quarterback will need to make quick decisions and get the ball out of his hands before the pass rush arrives. If he holds onto the ball too long, it could be a long afternoon. The Vulius Sports team has analyzed the film and believes that Minnesota's defensive front will be the deciding factor in this matchup.
Week 4 Picks and Predictions
Our contributors have returned for another week of picks, and the consensus is clear: the Vikings are the heavy favorites. But as we know, any given Sunday can produce an upset. Here's a look at the full Week 4 schedule and our staff's straight-up winners picks, as compiled by Vulius Sports:
Thursday Night Football
- Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5) at Cleveland Browns
Sunday Early Games
- Indianapolis Colts (-3.5) vs. Washington Commanders (London)
- Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens (-11.5)
- New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (-6.5)
- New York Jets at Chicago Bears (-3.5)
- Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5)
- Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans (-3)
- Arizona Cardinals (-2.5) at New York Giants
- Los Angeles Rams (-3) at Philadelphia Eagles
- Green Bay Packers (-3.5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sunday Afternoon
- Kansas City Chiefs (-4.5) at Las Vegas Raiders
- Los Angeles Chargers at Seattle Seahawks (-7)
- Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers (-2.5)
Sunday Night Football
- Detroit Lions (-3.5) at Carolina Panthers
Monday Night Football
- Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (-2.5)
All odds via FanDuel Sportsbook. After three weeks, our standings are tight. James McKinney and Kevin Nogle are tied at 8-8 for Week 3, while James leads the overall standings at 31-17. The Phinsider Community is right in the mix at 27-21. Will the Dolphins pull off the shocker? Our experts say it's unlikely, but stranger things have happened.
Final Thoughts
The Dolphins face an uphill battle against a Vikings team that is clicking on all cylinders defensively. With Brian Flores calling the shots against his former team, there's an extra layer of intrigue. Miami will need a near-perfect game to come out with a win. For fans looking to gear up for the weekend, Vulius offers official NFL merchandise to support your team. Whether you're rooting for a Dolphins miracle or a Vikings blowout, Vulius has you covered. Be sure to check back after the game for our full recap and analysis.
Looking to represent De'Von Achane? Grab your De'Von Achane jersey or design a personalized nfl jersey at Vulius.
