Fish Fried: Vikings pound the Dolphins in Stefanski’s debut

Led by a new offensive coordinator, the Minnesota Vikings got their season back on track with a big win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

With a playoff berth on the line, Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer felt a change at offensive coordinator was necessary for his team earlier this week.

On Sunday, Zimmer’s decision proved to be the right one as the Vikings delivered a royal beatdown to the Miami Dolphins with interim offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski making his play-calling debut for Minnesota.

Thanks to more than 400 total yards of offense and a pass-rushing clinic put on by the defense. the Vikings exited U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday with a 41-17 win over the Dolphins.

With the victory, Minnesota’s 2018 record improves to 7-6-1 and they are still in good shape to make the playoffs this season.

For what seemed like the first time all year, the Vikings’ offense was actually led by their rushing attack on Sunday. Minnesota carried the ball 40 times for 220 yards against Miami, the first time the Vikings have accumulated over 200 rushing yards since 2015.

Dalvin Cook led all Minnesota players on the ground with 19 carries for 136 yards and two touchdowns. For Cook, Sunday was actually the first time he finished a game with at least 100 rushing yards since Week 1 of the 2017 season.

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins had himself a solid outing under the team’s new play-caller. Cousins completed 14 of his 21 passes for 215 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.

On the defensive side of the ball, Minnesota made the Dolphins’ offensive line look like a bunch of amateurs. The Vikings defense finished with an impressive nine sacks on Sunday, including two from both Anthony Barr and Danielle Hunter.

With someone new leading their offense, Minnesota looked a lot more similar to the team that won 13 games in 2017. Can the Vikings continue to perform this way for the rest of the season and even make a run in the playoffs?

Minnesota’s next chance for a win will come next Sunday in a road matchup with the Detroit Lions at 12 p.m. CT.