The Minnesota Vikings beat the Miami Dolphins 15-10 on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium, and Will Reichard scored every one of their points. Minnesota never reached the end zone, going 0-for-3 in the red zone, so the scoring came down to its kicker.
The Vikings also dominated the ball. They held possession for more than 39 minutes and ran nearly twice as many plays as Miami.
How It Happened
Reichard opened the scoring with a 47-yard field goal at 7:54 of the first quarter. It was the only score of the period.
He added a 50-yarder midway through the second quarter, then hit from 33 yards as time expired in the half. Minnesota took a 9-0 lead into the break, all of it on field goals.
Miami got on the board early in the third quarter when Riley Patterson made a 27-yard field goal. Reichard answered from 41 yards to push the lead to 12-3.
The Dolphins then cut it to 12-10 with 11 seconds left in the quarter. Ollie Gordon II ran in from 12 yards, and Patterson added the extra point.
Reichard restored a five-point cushion with a 29-yard field goal at 6:41 of the fourth quarter. Miami had no answer. The Dolphins converted only 2 of 9 third downs all game and finished with 8 first downs, which left them little to build a comeback on.
Key Performers
Will Reichard, MIN: 5 FG – 47, 50, 33, 41, 29 YDS
Ollie Gordon II, MIA: 12-yard rushing TD
Riley Patterson, MIA: 27-yard FG, extra point
MIN Passing: 27-37, 213 net YDS, 0 INT, sacked 4 times for 34 YDS
MIN Rushing: 31 ATT, 123 YDS, 4.0 per carry
MIA Passing: 9-17, 77 net YDS, 0 INT, sacked 2 times for 8 YDS
MIA Rushing: 18 ATT, 121 YDS, 6.7 per carry
Reichard was the whole offense on the scoreboard, and he delivered from short and long range alike.
Miami's run game was its best weapon, averaging nearly 7 yards a carry, but the Dolphins rarely got the chance to lean on it. The passing game gave them almost nothing, and the game's only turnover was a Miami fumble.
What It Means
The Vikings move to 4-0, unbeaten both at home and on the road. Winning without a touchdown says the defense and the kicking game can carry them on an off day.
The red-zone stalls are the thing to fix. Minnesota also committed 11 penalties for 85 yards, and against a better offense, settling for field goals and giving away yardage is how a lead disappears.
The Dolphins fall to 0-4, including 0-3 on the road. They actually gained more yards per play than Minnesota, 5.4 to 4.7, but they held the ball for only 20:49.
Until the Dolphins sustain drives on third down, close games like this one will keep slipping away.