Sep 30, 2026 · 26 min
Miami’s rebuild meets Minnesota’s pressure test
New Dolphins regime visits Vikings still seeking first win. What have they learned through 3 games?
Miami’s winless start has exposed late-game execution and depth problems, making its matchup with Minnesota a test of the rebuild’s direction.
- 1Miami’s draft-and-develop plan offers a clearer foundation than its winless record, with young players increasingly carrying key roles.
- 2The Dolphins must replace De'Von Achane’s production while helping Malik Willis handle an aggressive Brian Flores defense.
- 3An upset depends on protecting Willis, avoiding negative plays, sustaining drives, and controlling possession with the running game.
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The clearest upset formula is Miami protecting Malik Willis, avoiding negative plays, and controlling possession through its running game.
The brief
David Furones joins Emily Riehl to assess Miami’s winless opening under a new regime, including fan frustration, late collapses, and De'Von Achane’s season-ending injury.
The Dolphins’ draft-and-develop philosophy is the clearest sign of direction, with first-round lineman Caden Proctor moving to guard as young players assume larger roles.
Miami controlled much of its game against Kansas City before unraveling late, repeating the execution problems that surfaced in the previous loss to San Francisco.
With Achane gone, Jalen Wright and Ollie Gordon form a contrasting running-back committee, while Malik Willis continues learning how to lead an offense.
The matchup turns on whether Miami can protect Willis from Brian Flores’s pressure, limit turnovers, sustain drives, and keep Minnesota’s defense from wearing down.