Minnesota Vikings Week 4 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Miami Dolphins on Sunday 15-10. The defense and special teams were excellent. The offense finally got into a bit of a rhythm at the end of the game. Better late than never. Here are some of the players that helped secure the big win and keep the Vikings undefeated on the season.

Offensive Player of the Game

T.J. Hockenson, TE

Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray needed to get comfortable in the offense. It looked like he finally found some comfort when he started targeting T.J. Hockenson.

13 targets

13 catches

119 yards

Hockenson would’ve had an easy walk-in touchdown at the end of the game. It must have been tempting to get that touchdown seeing as the Vikings offense has had such difficulty scoring them. Instead, Hockenson wisely downed the play at the Dolphins two-yard line with two minutes to play. The first down secured the win as Murray only had to kneel down three times to drain the clock. 

Honorable Mention:

Aaron Jones Sr., RB

20 carries

94 yards

4 catches 

34 yards

128 total yards

Over the past three weeks, Jones has been the Vikings biggest offensive threat. Often, he’s been their only offensive threat.

Defensive Player of the Game

Dallas Turner, OLB

Once again, it’s difficult to pick a single player to be Defensive Player of the Week. Turner has been a regular contender. His two sacks, one forcing a fumble, of Malik Willis gets him the nod this week.

Special Teams Player of the Week

Will Reichard, K

Will Reichard is the best kicker in the league. Through four weeks, he’s probably the Vikings MVP. He scored all 15 points against the Dolphins. It’s just another game for Reichard. 

Honorable Mention:

Myles Price, Returner

Myles Price might’ve taken the honors this week if the offense had taken better advantage of his two big returns. He returned the opening kick 47 yards to midfield. The offense went three-and-out. He set the offense up nicely on their second possession with a 36-yard punt return to the Dolphins 38-yard line. The offense didn’t do much and had to settle for Reichard’s first field goal. 

Vikings - Dolphins

The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Miami Dolphins 15-10. 

When I was a kid learning football in the 1970s, winning the game was all that mattered. It really didn’t matter how it looked or the margin. 10-7. 6-3. 15-10. Your team having more points than the other team at the end of the game was the only thing that mattered. Just win. Football in the 2000s is different. For many fans and most in the media, teams have to roll over teams for a win to really mean something. Points. There has to be a lot of points. It takes a lot of points for a team to be of value.

Because the Vikings managed five field goals, and more significantly no touchdowns, there are many unhappy fans. Fans being unhappy after a win feels weird. There were even grumbles when tight end T.J. Hockenson decided to secure the win rather than score a touchdown. That alone seemed to show that points are more important than a win. The Vikings are 4-0. Would the media and fans be happier if Kyler Murray was lighting up defenses but the team was 1-3? Who knows? 

It would’ve been nice if the Vikings had scored some touchdowns against one of the worst teams in the league but NFL games rarely follow a hoped-for script. The one objective every team schemes is having more points at the end of the game than their opponent.  

During the game, it was stressful that the Vikings wasted a 48-yard Myles Price kick return to open the game. Start around midfield and have to punt after three offensive plays? Very disappointing. Price set up the offense on their second possession at the Dolphins 38-yard line with a 36-yard punt return. While not quite as wasteful as the first “big” return, the Vikings could only move the ball nine yards and settled for a 47-yard Will Reichard field goal. It’s a good thing Reichard doesn’t miss because the Vikings offense is having serious difficulty putting the ball in the end zone. 

Myles Price is evolving into quite the special teams weapon. The Vikings have to take better advantage of the excellent field position he’s creating. 

The Vikings Defense. If the defense keeps playing like it’s playing, the Vikings will be in every game. 

The Vikings defense suffocated the Dolphins offense. The Dolphins could only manage eight first downs. Five of the nine possessions went three-and-out. Malik Willis passed for only 85 yards. The Dolphins managed only 198 yards of offense. If not for a couple Ollie Gordon II runs, that output would’ve been closer to 130 yards. 

The Dolphins had a drive at the end of the third quarter that was an outlier from their other eight possessions. That singular drive was only four plays for 55 yards. It was an outlier because each of the four plays gained yards in chunks.

17-yard pass to Malik Washington

9-yard run by Ollie Gordon II

17-yard pass to Malik Washington

12-yards touchdown run by Ollie Gordon II

It was shockingly quick and surgical. The drive was such an outlier that it felt like the Vikings defense simply took an ill-advised break. Ill-advised because it gave the Dolphins some momentum. That momentum didn’t last. 

Fortunately, the Vikings answered that shocking touchdown with their best offense of the season so far with Kyler Murray. It was just two possessions but the offense finally moved the ball. Perhaps, they moved the ball because Murray found a consistent target. T.J. Hockenson. It’s been a while since Hockenson has made an impact like he made yesterday. 

Hockenson’s day:

13 targets

13 catches

119 yards

He would’ve had an easy walk-in touchdown but wisely decided to down the play at the Dolphin’s two-yard line with two minutes to play. The wise play secured the win as three kneel-downs drained the clock. The Dolphins offense never held the ball again. That play crushed any hope they might’ve had. 

Murray on those final two possessions:

13/14 for 120 yards. 

Going in, this game against the Dolphins felt like it should be a get-right game for Kyler Murray. For most of the game he wasn’t getting right. The Dolphins hadn’t sacked a quarterback in the first three games. It took one play for them to get that first sack against the Vikings. Murray simply hasn’t looked comfortable in the offense. He finally looked a little comfortable on those last two drives. While Hockenson was often the target, he wasn’t always the target. Murray threw a nice 27-yarder to Jordan Addison on the second of the two drives. Hopefully, Murray can build on the end of this game. 

Getting Justin Jefferson back can only help in getting Murray right. 

The Vikings are 4-0 because of the outstanding play of the defense and special teams. The offense showed some spark at the end of this win over the Dolphins. It’s a start. Now, go to New Orleans and thrash the Saints next week. 

And, enough with the penalties. 11 penalties is too damn many penalties. 

Flea Flicker Week 4 Predictions

It’s already Week 4. Here are some guesses at the games. 

Miami Dolphins @ Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Vikings

Rematch of Super Bowl VIII goes to the Vikings. 

Indianapolis Colts @ Washington Commanders

Pick: Colts

The NFL’s ridiculous Europe games begin with this one. The travel and logistics of these international games often have a greater impact than the talent and scheme of the respective teams. It’s impossible to pick these stupid games. So, Colts.

New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills

Pick: Bills

These two teams were expected to battle for the AFC East title. Through three weeks, they are headed in different directions. The Bills look like the best team in the league. The Patriots have had a rough start to the season. 

New York Jets @ Chicago Bears

Pick: Bears

How is it that the Bears have played three of their first four games at home? The Jets continue their run through the NFC North. They gave the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions all they could handle the last two weeks. With three weeks without any travel, the Bears should be able to handle the Jets at home. 

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Cincinnati Bengals

Pick: Bengals

This could be a fun game. 

Arizona Cardinals @ New York Giants

Pick: Giants

The Cardinals throwing a scare into the San Francisco 49ers last week is the only that gives me pause in this game.

Los Angeles Rams @ Philadelphia Eagles

Pick: Rams

After seeing the Eagles flopping around against the Chicago Bears, it’s difficult seeing them beating the Rams.

Green Bay Packers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pick: Packers

Battle of the Bays. Even the Packers should be able to handle the Buccaneers without Baker Mayfield.

Tennessee Titans @ Baltimore Ravens

Pick: Ravens

The Ravens roll.

Dallas Cowboys @ Houston Texans

Pick: Texans

It’s been a tough start for both teams. Just going with the home team.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Las Vegas Raiders

Pick: Chiefs

The Chiefs hand the Raiders their first loss.

Denver Broncos @ San Francisco 49ers

Pick: 49ers

Rematch of Super Bowl XXIV. Same outcome.

Los Angeles Chargers @ Seattle Seahawks

Pick: Seahawks

I want to pick the Chargers. They have too much talent to be 0-3. With the way they’ve played through three weeks, I can’t pick the Chargers.

Detroit Lions @ Carolina Panthers

Pick: Panthers

Dan Campbell will find a way to lose this one. 

Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints

Pick: Saints

20 years ago, Steve Gleason blocked a Falcons punt to wake up a Saints team and a city. The Saints can’t lose this game. 

Miami Dolphins All - Time Team

The Minnesota Vikings host the Miami Dolphins tomorrow. Being in different conferences, the Vikings haven’t played the Dolphins too often over the years. They did have a significant meeting on January 13, 1974. Super Bowl VIII. That game didn’t go well for the Vikings. On the eve of the rematch of that Super Bowl, here are some of the best players in Dolphins franchise history. Several of the players on this team played in that Super Bowl. 

Offense

Quarterback 

Dan Marino

Running Back

Ricky Williams

Fullback

Larry Csonka

Wide Receivers

Paul Warfield

Mark Clayton

Tight End

Bruce Hardy

Tackles

Richmond Webb

Norm Evans

Guards

Bob Kuechenberg

Larry Little

Center

Dwight Stephenson

Defense

Defensive Ends

Jason Taylor 

Cameron Wake

Defensive Tackles

Manny Fernandez

Bob Baumhower

Linebackers

Zach Thomas

Nick Buoniconti 

John Offerdahl

Cornerbacks

Sam Madison

Patrick Surtain

Safeties

Dick Anderson

Jake Scott

Special Teams

Kicker

Garo Yepremian

Punter

Reggie Roby

Kick Returner

Jakeem Grant

Punt Returner

O.J. McDuffie

Flea Flicker Favorite Football Books

I bring this list of favorite football books back when I’m thinking about football books. I even brought it back earlier this year. I bring it back now because I have a new addition to it. There are several great football players that simply don’t have enough written about them. Former New York Giants safety Emlen Tunnell is one of those players. Sure, he’s mentioned in just about every book written on the 1950’s Giants and there are many of those. The only legitimate book focused on Tunnell is his autobiography, Footsteps of a Giant. Whenever I’ve searched for it, I’ve had a difficult time finding the book. Properly motivated a few weeks ago, I finally located one. It’s terrific and finds a place on this list. Here are 28 of my favorite football books. I really should trim that number down but I really don’t want to trim any of the books. 

Flea Flicker Favorite Football Books

28. Namath: a Biography, Mark Kriegel, 2005
If you're at all curious about the Joe Namath legend this is the book to read.

27. Friday Night Lights, H.G. Bissinger, 1990
A football classic. As much sociological study as football book.

26. Going Long: The Wild Ten Year Saga of the American Football League in the Words of Those Who Lived It, Jeff Miller, 2004
Perhaps the best book on the wildly entertaining American Football League.

25. The Mannings, Lars Anderson, 2016
Any book about the Mannings that's still talking about Archie's football career 150 pages in is an entertaining read. Not to take anything away from the Manning kids but their careers are so fresh in our football minds. Archie was a very good quarterback on a very bad team. He was also one of my favorite non-Minnesota Vikings players of his era. He's a better dad. This book is as much about raising a family and relationships as it is about football. A great book.

24. About Three Bricks Shy of a Load, Roy Blount Jr., 1974
This book is an excellent season-long, inside look at the Pittsburgh Steelers just before the team took over the NFL.

23. Chuck Noll: His Life's Work, Michael MacCambridge, 2016
Blount's book took a close look at one season before the Steelers' dynasty. MacCambridge's book looks at the life of the man behind that dynasty. It's hard to imagine the Steelers being a laughing-stock but they were for nearly all of their first 40 years in the league. When Dan Rooney hired Chuck Noll in 1969 the Steelers started to change. Quickly. MacCambrige tackles one of the game's great coaches and perhaps least known.

22. Giants and Heroes: A Daughter's Memories of Y. A. Tittle, Dianne Tittle De Laet, 1998
A look at a football star from the rare perspective of his daughter. This book is simply wonderful.

21. Native American Son: The Life and Sporting Legend of Jim Thorpe, Kate Buford, 2010
This is the best book on one of America's greatest athletes.

20. Kassulke, Karl Kassulke, 1981
The former Vikings safety delivers the wildly entertaining characters on the Minnesota Vikings of the 1960s. It's a must for Vikings fans.

19. Paper Lion, George Plimpton, 1966
George Plimpton's writing. George Plimpton's football talents. The 1963 Detroit Lions. Fun times.

18. PB: The Paul Brown Story, Paul Brown with Jack Clary, 1978
From stories of his days attending San Francisco 49ers games at Kezar Stadium in the 1940s, my father introduced me to the coaching legend of Paul Brown. As a result those Cleveland Browns teams and their coach will always have a fond place for me.

17. A Civil War, John Feinstein, 1997
A terrific, intimate look into the incredible Army-Navy rivalry.

16. Dutch Clark: The Life of an NFL Legend and the Birth of the Detroit Lions, Chris Willis, 2012

This book would probably make the list simply because of the subject. Dutch Clark is one of the best, and one of my favorite, players of the NFL’s early years. Like Emlen Tunnell, Dutch Clark’s life and great career is woefully covered. Chris Willis uncovered him. 

15. Finding the Winning Edge, Bill Walsh, 1997
This is the coach's manual on how to run a football team.

14. Instant Replay, Jerry Kramer and Dick Schaap, 1968
Jerry Kramer's diary of the Packers 1967 season. There are a few season-long, peak-behind-the-curtains books on this list. This book is one of the first to be written and still one of the best.

13. Halas by Halas, The Autobiography of George Halas, George Halas with Gwen Morgan and Arthur Veysey, 1979
George Halas' story is the story of the NFL.

12. The Pros: A Documentary of Professional Football in America, Robert Riger with commentary from Tex Maule, 1960
This is a unique coffee table-type book. It presents the NFL to the reader through the fantastic artwork and photography of Robert Riger and commentary of Tex Maule.

11. Total Football/Total Football II, Bob Carroll, David Neft, John Thorn, and Michael Greshman, 1997/1998
You want a pro football encyclopedia? Here's your pro football encyclopedia.

10. Run to Daylight, Vince Lombardi with W.C. Heinz, 1963
Perhaps the first "inside look" football books. Vince Lombardi takes the reader through a week of preparation for a game during the 1962 season.

9. The Game That Was, Myron Cope, 1970
Some of my favorite football books are the oral histories of the early days of the game. Myron Cope reached many of the game's best in this one. Dutch Clark, Johnny Blood, Marion Motley, Bill Willis, Bulldog Turner.

8. The Pro Football Chronicle: The Complete (Well Almost Record of the Best Players, the Greatest Photos, the Hardest Hits, the Biggest Scandals), Dan Daly and Bob O'Donnell, 1990
As the title suggests the book has a lot of everything.

7. Education of a Coach, David Halberstam, 2005
What could be better than a book written by a writer like David Halberstam about a coach like Bill Belichick?

6. What a Game They Played, Richard Whittingham, 1984
This is probably the best oral history book on football. Whittingham brings the reader the voices and experiences of many of the greats that made football great. Mel Hein, Don Hutson, Sid Luckman, Sammy Baugh, and so many others.

5. Footsteps of a Giant, Emlen Tunnell w/William Gleason, 1966

Perhaps it’s a recency thing that places this book in the Top 5. I didn’t know Emlen Tunnell but I really felt like I got to know him through this book. I hope that Gleason accurately captured Tunnell’s voice. I’ve always liked the player. Now, I really like the person. This is a great, fun book about a great, fun football player. 

4. Red Grange: The Life And Legacy of the NFL’s First Superstar, Chris Willis, 2019

This might be the most thoroughly researched and comprehensive book ever written on an individual football player. And it’s a fun read. 

3. A Thinking Man's Guide To Pro Football/The New Thinking Man's Guide To Pro Football, Paul Zimmerman, 1970 and 1984
This book is so great that it had to be done twice. I only wish that there were Newer... and Newest... editions as well. Zimmerman was probably the most knowledgeable football writer in the business. He could talk and write about the game like a coach.

2. When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi, David Maraniss, 1999
The best football biography that I've read. There were a handful of years in which I had to re-read this book prior to the start of the NFL season. Just to get ready.

1. America's Game: The Epic Story of How Pro Football Captured a Nation, Michael MacCambridge, 2005
Michael MacCambridge tells the story of the NFL since World War II through a focus on the Browns, Chiefs, Colts, Cowboys, Raiders, and Rams. Well researched and very well written. If you want one book on the history of the NFL to read, this is it.

Vikings Roster Moves

Mostly due to an injury, a trade, and a the Minnesota Vikings made several roster moves over the past couple of days. 

Signed to 53-man Roster:

Kyle Van Noy, OLB

Max Brosmer, QB

Reverted to Active Roster from Suspended List:

Jeshaun Jones, WR

Placed on Injured/Reserve

Josh Oliver, TE

Terminated contract:

Johnny Hekker, P

Released from Practice Squad:

Jerome Ford, RB

Jaret Patterson, RB

Jonathan Harris, DL

Signed to the Practice Squad:

Kenny Dyson, OLB

Audric Estime, RB

Devin Neal, RB

Johnny Hekker, P

Keshawn Banks, OLB

Josh Priebe, G

It’s been a busy week. The work started with the trade of quarterback J.J. McCarthy to the New York Giants for a 2027 fifth-round pick. Plenty has already been said about the trade. Plenty will be said about the trade for the entirety of McCarthy’s career. The quarterback vacancy prompted Max Brosmer’s elevation from the practice squad. Speaking of practice squad elevations, the Vikings did so for each of the first three games with outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy. League rules allow only three such elevations so he was signed to the active roster on Tuesday. This was a move considered inevitable when he was initially signed to the practice squad on September 2. Josh Oliver’s unfortunate bicep injury forced a move to injured reserve. Hopefully, he’ll be back later in the season. Oliver is so critical to the Vikings offense, in general, and run game, in particular. 

As for the practice squad moves, the focus was on supplementing the running backs. Jerome Ford and Jaret Patterson did so for a week. Audric Estime and Devin Neal will do so moving forward. The addition of Neal is especially intriguing. He was terrific in college at Kansas. That got him selected in the sixth-round of a 2025 NFL draft that was loaded with talented running backs. The Vikings run game will require a delicate balance until Jordan Mason returns from thumb surgery. Aaron Jones Sr. is being forced to carry too much of the load right now. He’s still an effective runner at 31 but his carries can’t get out of hand over multiple weeks. Punter Johnny Hekker was signed to the active roster last week to replace injured Brett Thorson in Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hekker and Thorson competed for the punter job through training camp. The rookie won the job and was punting well until he tweaked a hamstring in Week 2 on the soggy home field of the Chicago Bears. It was incredibly convenient that Hekker was available as he already had familiarity with the Vikings kicking battery of kicker Will Reichard and long snapper Andrew DePaola. It seems holding for kicks has become as important as the actual punting for the modern punter. Maintaining Hekker’s presence on the roster was important as Thorson works to return to the lineup. Keshawn Banks and Josh Priebe will supplement the depth at their respective positions. 

Then we get to the almost comical case of Kenny Dyson. The Vikings initially brought him in at the latter stages of training camp. He impressed defensive coaches immediately and was a likely candidate for the initial practice squad. Whether a clerical oversight or just a procedural mistake by a new front office finding their way, the Vikings released Dyson with an injury settlement. He was then signed to the practice squad. Can’t do that. The practice squad contract was disallowed because of a league rule that says players waived with an injury settlement can’t be re-signed by that team until the length of that settlement, plus three weeks. It was a mistake/oversight that didn’t reflect well on the Vikings. The three weeks have now passed and Dyson was still available. Now, he’s on the Vikings practice squad. And it’s legal. So far. 

It’s been a busy week of roster-tweaking for the Minnesota Vikings. 

Minnesota Vikings Week 3 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday 23-16. Offensively, it wasn’t pretty. The defense and special teams carried the Vikings to the win and a 3-0 start to the season. Here are some of the players that made the big win possible. 

Offensive Player of the Game

Jordan Addison, WR

Jordan Addison has had a slow start to the season. With Justin Jefferson departing early in the first quarter with an ankle injury, the Vikings really needed Addison to get untracked. He did.

5 catches 

90 yards

1 TD

On the Vikings only offensive touchdown drive of the game, Addison had 71 of the 73 yards. The final 41 was the touchdown. If Kyler Murray had been a bit more accurate with his throws, Addison would’ve had an even bigger game. Including another long touchdown. 

Defensive Player of the Game

Eric Wilson, LB

Once again, this Vikings defense had several contenders for Defensive Player of the Game honors. Eric Wilson was a game-long menace against the Buccaneers. 10 tackle and 1.5 sacks. He made plays behind the line of scrimmage, at the line of scrimmage, and in coverage. 

Wilson may have gotten away with couple facemask penalties. In his defense, they looked more like touches of the facemask rather than grabs. 

Special Teams Player of the Game

Myles Price, Returner

Finally. Myles Price took a kick a back for a touchdown. I believed that he’d get one last season as a rookie. He didn’t. His 68-yard kick return against the Packers in Week 1 kick-started that great comeback. His 86-yard punt return score against the Buccaneers got the Vikings off to a hot start. Those seven points ended up being the difference in the game. 

Special Teams Honorable Mention:

Will Reichard, K

With the way that the Vikings offense has struggled through three games, Will Reichard might be the team’s MVP after the entire defense. He scored all of the points in last week’s 9-3 win over the Chicago Bears. He scored 11 of the 23 points on Sunday against the Buccaneers. He’s the best kicker in the league and one of the most impactful football players on the Vikings.