Vikings @ Dolphins
Final Score: Vikings 24, Dolphins 16
Writer: Brennan Rampe (@phdinnfl on Twitter)
What a difference a week makes! Last week I was watching the Vikings offense put on a clinic against the Bears in the first half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Both teams had nonstop three-and-outs. I counted at least nine three-and-outs by Minnesota and at least four by Miami. As a Vikings fan, their offensive ineptitude for most of this game was frustrating to watch. However, the defense, which has struggled, was dominant throughout most of the game. Dolphins third-string quarterback Skylar Thompson got the start and was looking decent until suffering a hand injury. Teddy Bridgewater entered the game after suffering what appeared to be a concussion last week. The offense still struggled for most of the game until the fourth quarter, where tight end Mike Gesicki caught two touchdowns. Turnovers were the reason the Vikings won, as Bridgewater threw two interceptions and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle had a fumble. Minnesota improved to 5-1 heading into their bye week, and Miami is now 3-3, losing three straight games after starting off 3-0.
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
Kirk Cousins: 20/30, 175 Yards, 2 TD | 2 Carries, -5 Yards
Kirk Cousins was solid, but most of this game was a struggle for him. The offensive line gave up a lot of pressure and he was sacked three times. It was the total opposite of last week against the Bears, where he was on fire and the offensive line played well. It was a mostly mediocre performance with the exception of a couple of drives that resulted in touchdowns to Irv Smith Jr. and Adam Thielen. Cousins has been a pretty good fantasy quarterback this year and you can always depend on him to throw for multiple touchdowns in a game.
Running Back
Dalvin Cook: 13 Carries, 77 Yards, TD | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 6 Yards
C.J. Ham: 1 Carry, 3 Yards
Alexander Mattison: 1 Carry, 3 Yards
Dalvin Cook was the lead rusher for this game in his return to Florida (he played college football at Florida State). He had a mediocre game, as most of his runs didn’t go very long. He was mostly contained with the exception of a long touchdown that won the game. C.J. Ham and Alexander Mattison both only had one carry and they didn’t do much of anything with the football in their hands.
Scoring TDs in Miami is what @dalvincook does!
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/BS2CKFV3bH
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 16, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Justin Jefferson: 8 Targets, 6 Receptions, 107 Yards, 1 Fumble (Recovered)
Adam Thielen: 8 Targets, 4 Receptions, 36 Yards, TD
K.J. Osborn: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 18 Yards
Irv Smith Jr.: 4 Targets, 4 Receptions, 7 Yards, TD
Johnny Mundt: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 1 Yard
Justin Jefferson once again had another 100-yard game. He didn’t score, but he just might be the best wide receiver in the game right now. He didn’t fumble, as he recovered a fumble by Irv Smith Jr. Adam Thielen didn’t do much but did score a touchdown that was impressive to me. K.J. Osborn caught three of his five targets but was a non-factor. Irv Smith Jr. only had seven yards but did catch the game’s first touchdown. Still, he needs to step up, in my opinion.
Go ahead and get Griddy @athielen19 🤣
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/kpvC1hzFlc
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 16, 2022
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Skylar Thompson: 7/13, 89 Yards | 1 Carry, 9 Yards
Teddy Bridgewater: 23/34, 329 Yards, 2 TD, 2 INT | 1 Carry, 10 Yards
Skylar Thompson played for about the first quarter before suffering a hand injury that would sideline him for the rest of the game. He completed half of his passes and was looking good. Teddy Bridgewater had to come in and was mediocre. He finished with over 300 yards passing, but a lot of those yards were when the game was out of reach. He was sacked five times and threw two interceptions. Tua Tagovailoa is expected to return next week, but Bridgewater is worth having in leagues, as Tagovailoa has struggled to stay healthy in his career.
Running Back
Raheem Mostert: 14 Carries, 49 Yards | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, -1 Yards
Chase Edmonds: 2 Carries, 3 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 28 Yards
Alec Ingold: 1 Carry, 2 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 10 Yards
Raheem Mostert was the leading rusher for the Dolphins but didn’t do a whole lot. He is the main running back for this Miami offense, and Mike McDaniel is familiar with him, as they were together with the 49ers. Chase Edmonds and fullback Alec Ingold were non-factors. Mostert is the Dolphins’ running back that you want for fantasy purposes.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Tyreek Hill: 15 Targets, 12 Receptions, 177 Yards
Jaylen Waddle: 10 Targets, 6 Receptions, 129 Yards, 1 Fumble (Lost)
Mike Gesicki: 7 Targets, 6 Receptions, 69 Yards, 2 TD
Trent Sherfield: 4 Targets, 1 Reception, 6 Yards
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are one of the best wide receiver duos in the league, and they showed why today. Neither scored, but both had over 100 yards. Their speed is something that defenses have to account for all game long, and both were effective today. Waddle did have a fumble in the game which was one of three turnovers committed by Miami. Also, Waddle suffered an injury late in the game, and that is something worth monitoring. Mike Gesicki scored both of the touchdowns for the Dolphins, and both were in the fourth quarter. He isn’t talked about as much as guys like Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews, but he is a really good tight end.