Despite averaging fewer than 16 points per game in the last three weeks, the Minnesota Vikings are sitting with a 4-0 record after defeating the Miami Dolphins on Sunday by a final score of 15-10.
The Vikings have been getting these victories with excellent performances from their special teams and defense. Sunday was no different, as Minnesota's offense struggled throughout most of the matchup and failed to convert any of their drives into touchdowns.
Thankfully, it was enough to beat a bad Miami team that is still searching for its first win of the 2026 season.
We'll have more detailed looks into Minnesota's Week 4 performance, but what are some of the initial takeaways from what they did inside U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday?
Did the Vikings just figure out how to use Kyler Murray?
It took almost two full games, but Minnesota might have finally figured out how to get the most out of Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback.
In the first half, it was more of the same underwhelming play from Murray as he was sacked three times and went 11-for-19 for just 112 yards.
But then came the second half.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell clearly made some adjustments and actually ran things to make Murray feel comfortable. The result was Minnesota's offense running more efficiently in the game's final two quarters, including the fourth quarter when Murray went 13-for-14 for 120 yards.
Now, we have to see if the Vikings can take what they did with Murray in the second half on Sunday and make it happen during an entire game.
Give Will Reichard whatever amount of money he wants
Getting points has been quite the struggle for Minnesota's offense this year, but this hasn't been the case for Vikings kicker Will Reichard.
Reichard has converted all of his field-goal and extra-point attempts this season, and he added five more made field goals on Sunday against Miami, including one from 50 yards out.
Reichard is eligible for a contract extension after this season, and there's no reason why the Vikings shouldn't make him the highest-paid kicker in the NFL.
T.J. Hockenson still exists
Following a disappointing 2025 campaign, Minnesota tight end T.J. Hockenson was hoping to get things back on track this season with a different quarterback starting under center.
Hockenson only had a total of nine catches in his first three games this year, but on Sunday, he exploded with a vintage performance that saw him haul in 13 passes for 119 yards.
Is what we saw Hockenson do against the Dolphins something that we can expect more of from him this season?
Left side of Vikings offensive line could be in serious trouble
Midway through the first quarter of Sunday's game, Vikings starting left guard Donovan Jackson exited the matchup with a knee injury. At first, Minnesota designated Jackson as questionable to return, and then they eventually ruled him out for the remainder of the contest.
If that wasn't bad enough, Vikings starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw exited the game in the second quarter after sustaining a neck injury. Darrisaw re-joined Minnesota on the field in the second half, and then left the game again to be evaluated for a concussion.
While multiple parts of the Vikings' offense have struggled this season, the left side of the team's starting offensive line was one of the few things they have been able to rely on. Now that reliability is very much in doubt.
Winning ugly can't last forever (or can it?)
Yes, this team is 4-0 this season, but the last few weeks have been excruciating to watch, especially when it has come to the offensive side of the ball.
Against the Dolphins on Sunday, one of the worst defenses in the NFL, Minnesota failed to score a single touchdown. The Vikings have now only scored a total of two touchdowns in their last three games, and if they are going to compete with the top of the NFC this year, that is something that has to change.
There's no guarantee that Minnesota's offense will be able to fix its problems this season, so getting gross wins that are mostly due to the play of its defense and special teams might be the only way the Vikings get victories this year.
How long that can actually be effective is something we will all need to wait and find out.
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