MINNEAPOLIS - The Miami Dolphins dropped to Minnesota 15-10 at U.S. Bank Stadium Sunday, losing a tight defensive battle in which five Will Reichard field goals proved the difference and Miami’s offense could not find the end zone until the third quarter.
Running back Ollie Gordon II carried the Dolphins’ offense, rushing 9 times for 100 yards at an 11.1-yard average and scoring on a 12-yard run that pulled Miami to within two points at 12-10 in the third quarter. The score capped a drive that also featured consecutive 17-yard completions from quarterback Malik Willis to wide receiver Malik Washington, who finished with 5 catches for 67 yards at a 13.4-yard average.
Gordon II’s biggest play came on Miami’s first possession of the second half, when a 53-yard burst moved the Dolphins into field goal range and allowed kicker Riley Patterson to connect from 27 yards, cutting Minnesota’s lead to 9-3.
Minnesota never allowed Miami to take the lead. Reichard connected on field goals of 47 and 50 yards in the first half to give the Vikings a 9-0 advantage at halftime, then added a fourth field goal to push the lead to 12-3 after penalties erased Miami gains on the ground. A fifth Reichard field goal late in the game set the final margin.
Miami’s defense generated consistent pressure throughout. Defensive lineman Zach Sieler recorded the unit’s first sack of the season on Minnesota’s opening play, dropping quarterback Kyler Murray for an eight-yard loss at the Vikings’ 40-yard line. Edge Josh Uche added a second sack on third-and-11 in the first half, and edge Chop Robinson notched an 11-yard sack in the third quarter for Miami’s fourth takedown of the afternoon.
Rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez led all players with 18 tackles, including nine solo stops - the most by any player in a single game this season and the most by a Dolphins rookie since tackles became an officially tracked statistic in 1994.
Miami returns to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens to host the Cincinnati Bengals, who enter at 2-2, next Sunday, Oct. 11 at 1 p.m.