Miami @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 31, 2017 ) Miami 30, Minnesota 9

The Miami Dolphins may have saved their AFC wild-card hopes last weekend and look to build on that dramatic result when they visit the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Kenyan Drake's 52-yard scoring dash as the third player to touch the ball on the game-ending lateral capped the 'Miami Miracle' as the Dolphins stunned New England 34-33.

Miami is one of four AFC teams with a 7-6 record, and wide receiver Kenny Stills is interested to see how his team follows up on the unlikely victory. "If we don't finish the season strong and we don't make the playoffs, to me it doesn't really matter how great of a play that was," Stills told reporters of the game-ender against the Patriots. Minnesota is battling for an NFC wild-card spot, but scoring a total of 17 points in back-to-back losses led to the firing of offensive coordinator John DeFilippo on Tuesday - with Kevin Stefanski being promoted to fill the role. "He's been around since I've been here," Vikings receiver Stefan Diggs - a fourth-year pro - told reporters. "He knows the things that work, and he knows what he likes and knows what he wants to get to. I look forward to the game and seeing how it's going to play out."

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Vikings -7.5. O/U: 44.5.

ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (7-6): Miami lost six of eight games before posting back-to-back victories, and the miracle against New England saved the team from a major uphill climb. "I like where we're at. We're alive," coach Adam Gase said during a press conference. "We're one week at a time, but if you're not excited right now, then you might as well just go find something else to do." Ryan Tannehill has eight touchdown passes against one interception in three games since returning from a shoulder injury while cornerback Xavien Howard (knee), who is tied for the NFL lead with seven interceptions, is in jeopardy of missing his second straight game.

ABOUT THE VIKINGS (6-6-1): Minnesota's lone points in Monday's 21-7 loss to Seattle came with 70 seconds remaining, and coach Mike Zimmer feels his players will respond to the shakeup and the challenge ahead. "Just go out and play football and do what they've been taught to do for a long time," Zimmer said during a press conference. "Everybody understands the situation and the stakes of this particular game and the next couple of games. Our guys are pretty smart, and we understand that." Kirk Cousins (3,698 yards) has registered just one 300-yard performance over his last five games, but defensive end Danielle Hunter has been superb as he is tied for third in the league with 12.5 sacks.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Dolphins have won each of the last three meetings.

2. Minnesota WR Adam Thielen leads the NFL with 103 receptions while Diggs is tied for seventh with 88.

3. Miami RB Frank Gore (708 yards) rushed for 92 yards against New England - his second-highest output of the season.

PREDICTION: Vikings 23, Dolphins 20