Photo By Brian Curski
Written By Sam Ekstrom
LAST WEEK
The Vikings (6-8) blew a 14-0 lead and lost 16-14 in a defensive battle at Ford Field. Detroit’s Matt Prater hit a late field goal to give the Lions their first lead, while Minnesota’s Blair Walsh left a desperation 68-yard field goal short to give Detroit their 10th win. Teddy Bridgewater threw two critical interceptions that led to points, but he also threw for over 300 yards for the third time.
The Dolphins (7-7) trailed by one point at halftime … and then got outscored 27-0 in the second half by the surging New England Patriots, who went on to win 41-13. Miami’s defense couldn’t touch Tom Brady, who threw for 287 yards. Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill passed for 346 yards but threw two interceptions and was sacked four times.
RECENT MEETINGS
These teams last played Week 2 of the 2010 season at the Metrodome. After going perfect at home the year prior, then-quarterback Brett Favre threw three interceptions in his first home loss as a Minnesota Viking. The Dolphins thwarted numerous comeback attempts and won a low-scoring 14-10 game.
Minnesota last played in Miami during Brad Childress’s “rookie” season as coach. The Dolphins won 24-20 after trailing 13-10 earlier in the fourth quarter. Brad Johnson was the Vikings quarterback at the time.
In 2002, the Vikings and Dolphins played a rare Saturday game at the Metrodome. Many forget that Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter played a year in Miami, and he made a return trip home in this late-season contest. Veteran kicker Gary Anderson made a 53-yard field goal to win it 20-17 for Minnesota. Carter only made one catch for 15 yards.
TEDDY GOES HOME
Teddy Bridgewater grew up in Miami a Dolphins fan. Sunday, he gets to play in the stadium he attended as a boy and dreamed he’d play in someday.
“That's a pretty neat stadium there,” said Bridgewater on Wednesday. “Holds a ton of games in South Florida. Growing up, like you said, I'd attend a couple Dolphins games, couple University of Miami games when they had games during my recruiting process. Just being in that stadium, getting the feel for the atmosphere is pretty amazing.”
Bridgewater only made it home a handful of times during his college days at Louisville, so visiting Miami this weekend will be a treat. He originally committed to the University of Miami as a quarterback but decommitted to the school when coach Randy Shannon was fired in 2010. Bridgewater expects to have a large number of family and friends in attendance at Sun Life Stadium, though he said his mother handles all the ticket requests.
“I'm pretty loved back home in Miami,” said Bridgewater. “A lot of people would tell me that I'm a role model in my community, so it will be pretty amazing to see how many people turn out there and get to see me play in person for the first time for some people.”
SLIPPING DOLPHINS DEFENSE
The Vikings went out of their way to compliment the Dolphins’ defense this week, especially Pro Bowl corner Brent Grimes and defensive end Cameron Wake. Although Miami possesses a top-5 pass defense on paper, they’ve slipped the past two weeks. Joe Flacco and Tom Brady both came close to 300 yards passing in victories over the Dolphins. Over the past four games, Miami has allowed over 30 points per contest.
The defensive coordinator in Miami is Kevin Coyle, who served as a defensive backs coach under now-Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer in Cincinnati.
“He knows what we do a lot of stuff, and I know what they do a lot of stuff,” said Zimmer, “so I'm sure he's communicating with their offense, and I've communicated with our offense, but really at the end of the day it comes down to blocking and tackling. You might sneak one play in here or there.”
COULD HAVE HAD WALLACE
Remember the 2013 offseason when the Vikings pursued help at the wide receiver position? They wound up landing Greg Jennings for a $45 million payout but reportedly went after current Dolphins pass-catcher Mike Wallace. The former Pittsburgh Steeler rebuffed a $76 million contract offer from Minnesota to accept a less lucrative $60 million in Miami. Somebody doesn’t like the cold …
MATCHUP TO WATCH
CB Brent Grimes vs WR Charles Johnson – Upstart receiver Charles Johnson has shown a knack for creating separation. He’ll be tested on Sunday against Miami’s Brent Grimes, considered one of the NFL’s best cover corners. Johnson has earned 36 targets over the past five games, but he has yet to face a corner that can do this.
PREDICTION
Teddy Bridgewater has proven he can excel in the spotlight, which will be squarely focused on him as he returns home to Miami. The Dolphins are down after losing sight of the playoff race the past two weeks. In a mild upset, Vikings 27, Dolphins 21.
Sam Ekstrom is a staff writer for Cold Omaha at 105 The Ticket and a play-by-play broadcaster in Burnsville, Minn. Hear him on 105 The Ticket Sunday mornings from 8-10 a.m. on “The Wake Up Call.” Follow him on Twitter @SamEkstrom for further insights.