The Miami Dolphins offense has to find a way to catch up to the growth that the defense is showing.
The Miami Dolphins are now 0-4 in 2026.
It was not for lack of trying, as the Dolphins were a few plays away from upsetting the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4. The main issue is that the offense has not grown in the same manner that the defense has in four weeks.
There are some sizable injuries that the offense has been hit with. Pro Bowl running back De'Von Achane is out for the season after tearing his ACL, and top wide receiver Caleb Douglas has been out due to an ankle injury.
Injuries are commonplace in the NFL, and that cannot be an excuse for why the Miami offense is struggling.
Week 4 showed that quarterback Malik Willis and the offense have not quite found their footing. That can be taken in a literal sense, as wide receiver Chris Bell stepped just barely out of bounds, negating what would have been the best play for the offense in 2026.
As Willis was nearly sacked by the Vikings' defense, he evaded the pass rush and threw a dart to a wide-open Bell. He turned on the jets and evaded a would-be tackle for the touchdown.
The issue is that Bell stepped out of bounds and ran back in to make the play. That was called, and it negated the play that may have been the deciding factor in the game.
The Dolphins' defense showed up in a big way against the Vikings. After three weeks of no sacks, the defense continued to get after quarterback Kyler Murray.
Chop Robinson, Josh Uche, and Zach Sieler showed that the pass rush needed some time to gel. All three had a sack, but Sieler picked up two.
The pass rush settled in and gave the Dolphins' offense plenty of time to put points on the board. That did not happen.
Miami's defense only gave up a trio of field goals through two quarters. During that time, Willis and the offense punted four times.
One offensive series led to a fumble when Willis was sacked, and the replay revealed that he had been hit before letting the ball loose.
The run game was not the Achilles heel for the team. Ollie Gordon II showed what he could do with a larger role, securing 100 yards on the ground and a touchdown.
Gordon also helped as best he could to set the offense up to score in the third quarter by rifling off a 53-yard run. It led to a Dolphins field goal, not the seven points that would have nearly tied the game.
Miami came closest to not only taking a lead for the first time during the season, but also securing the victory shortly after when Gordon punched it in with seconds left in the third quarter.
The score was 15-10, but the Vikings offense found a way to punish the secondary due to a perfect 13-of-13 day for tight end T.J. Hockenson.
Sunday's loss was not all on the offense. However, the Dolphins' biggest issue now remains finishing drives. The defense continues to show an evolution, but it's leaving the offense firmly in its dust.
