The Miami Dolphins knew it would be rough sledding. That’s the way they built the team for 2026. Going into the season with more dead cap than active spending was always the recipe for a bridge year. But, to add insult to injury - or I guess just more injury - they also lost their best offensive player, De’Von Achane, to a season-ending ACL tear. That’s likely why they have the lowest implied point total of any team so far this season, sitting at 14.

The Minnesota Vikings are not without problems of their own, as star WR Justin Jefferson has already been ruled out for this one. But at least they are moving forward without question marks about their QB situation after trading J.J. McCarthy to the New York Giants. And they have one of the league’s best defenses with Brian Flores calling the play - he’s hoping to get revenge on his former team, the Miami Dolphins, this week.

 

🏅 Dolphins vs. Vikings Expert Pick: Chris Bell over 2.5 Receptions (+106 on DraftKings Sportsbook)

We mentioned that the Miami Dolphins were playing for the future here. Well, part of that included drafting Chris Bell in the 2026 NFL Draft. Many teams passed on him because he tore his ACL late in the 2025 NCAA season - otherwise he would have likely been a second-round pick. Instead, the Dolphins got him in the third. 

As luck would have it, his recovery went about as well as anyone could have hoped. He was actually active for a preseason game and, by Week 4, is cleared for a pretty full snap share even if they do give him days off in practice. The team was already hurting for pass-catchers as it stood, but now they will be without fellow rookie Caleb Douglas as well. Last week, without Douglas, Bell got seven targets. If guys like Bell and Greg Dulcich can’t catch three balls where their line is set, this team might not even the league-wide low 14 points Vegas is implying. I think both can, but with Dulcich, the juice is set at like -170 vs. the plus money on Bell. 

 

 

 

👀 How To Watch Dolphins vs. Vikings NFL Week 4

  • Where: U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN
  • When: 4:05 PM ET on 10/4
  • Watch on TV: FOX
  • Where to stream: NFL+

 

🔢 Dolphins vs. Vikings Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

 

🏉 Dolphins vs. Vikings Injury Report & Latest News

As we mentioned, the Dolphins are heavy underdogs here, and that’s largely by design. It doesn’t help that Brian Flores returns with his blitz-heavy approach for a revenge game. We mentioned the De’Von Achane injury, but the injury report doesn’t end there for Miami, as the Dolphins will be without receiver Caleb Douglas (ankle), edge rusher Rob Beale Jr. (hamstring), and return man Storm Duck (knee).

The Vikings will be without their best offensive player, Justin Jefferson, but they still have Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, T.J. Hockenson, and Aaron Jones to work with. They will also be missing their punter Brett Thorson and cornerback Charles Demmings. The Vikings need to avoid a trap game here while building positive momentum for Kyler Murray, who missed the first two games with a concussion. 

 

💲 How To Make Dolphins vs. Vikings Predictions At DraftKings & Claim A $200 Sportsbook Bonus

  1. Click here 👈🏼 to join DraftKings
  2. Place a $5 bet
  3. Get $200 in bonus bets!