Josh Dobbs was thrust into action five days after being traded to Minnesota and the rocket scientist lifted the Vikings to an improbable win with a game-winning drive that ended with Dobbs scrambling for a key first down and then hitting Brandon Powell for a 6-yard touchdown with 22 seconds to remaining to give the Vikings a 31-28 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
TOUCHDOWN VIKINGS! TOUCHDOWN VIKINGS!
JOSH DOBBS TAKE OVER THE GAME!
đź“ş: FOX pic.twitter.com/jChQH10AYF
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 5, 2023
Dobbs replaced Jaren Hall after the rookie took a big shot near the goal line on Minnesota’s second possession of the game. The Vikings ruled Hall out with a concussion and that put the spotlight on Dobbs just five days after he was traded to Minnesota in wake of Kirk Cousins’ season-ending Achilles injury.
Dobbs flashed big time athleticism, rushing for 66 yards as he dazzled on a number of quarterback scrambles, including a 18-yard touchdown and then on 4th-and-7 with the game on the line in the fourth quarter he escaped the pocket and ran 22 yards for a first down to set up the game-winning touchdown.
.@josh_dobbs1 keeping it alive!
đź“ş: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/miSvn22meI
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 5, 2023
The Vikings battled despite being down to their fourth string quarterback while also playing without star left tackle Christian Darrisaw because of a groin injury and then losing receiver K.J. Osborn to a concussion when they were already without Justin Jefferson.
Minnesota held a 24-21 lead until Tyler Allgeier scored on a 5-yard run with just over two minutes to go in the fourth quarter. A 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Van Jefferson forced Younghoe Koo to boot a 48-yard extra point and he nailed it for the four point lead, 28-24.
Koo was 4-for-4 on field goals, including kicks of 52 and 54 yards.
Dobbs’ first series ended in disaster as the Falcons won with a three-man pass rush and Calais Campbell brought Dobbs down in the end zone for a safety. The Falcons took the two points for a 5-3 lead and then used the extra possession to add another field goal from Younghou Koo for an 8-3 lead.
Calais Campbell defying the limits of age! SAFETY!🙏 pic.twitter.com/gyowQbc9nC
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) November 5, 2023
Dobbs’ second offensive series was worse. Right after the Vikings picked up a first down on a pass interference flag, Dobbs scrambled to his right and had the ball knocked out of his hand for a fumble that Atlanta recovered and returned to the one-yard line.
Josh Dobbs scrambles and loses the ball. The Falcons take over. pic.twitter.com/BmV69hRKx8
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) November 5, 2023
A false start penalty backed the Falcons up and Minnesota’s defense wound up holding Atlanta to another field goal by Koo for an 11-3 lead.
Dobbs’ third drive was a thing of beauty has he drove the Vikings 75 yards and found Alexander Mattison for a touchdown with 55 seconds left in the half to cut the deficit to 11-10. The highlight of the drive was Dobbs’ 11-yard scramble to pick up a first down on third-and-10.
.@josh_dobbs1 scrambles to pick up the 1st!
đź“ş: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/6n7SxLoQd6
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 5, 2023
.@josh_dobbs1 hits @AlexMattison22 for the #Vikings score!
đź“ş: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/k5cYSe290Q
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 5, 2023
On the third play of the third quarter Bud Depree pushed right tackle Brian O’Neill into Dobbs and the ball popped free and landed in the arms of Falcons defensive tackle Kentavius Street. That turnover turned into three more points on Koo’s 54-yard field goal to give Atlanta the lead, 14-10.
Back came the Vikings, with Dobbs leading the offense deep into Atlanta territory before the drive stalled. Greg Joseph booted a 32-yard field goal to make it 14-13. The drive faltered after Dobbs fumbled the snap on first-and-10 at the Atlanta 15-yard line and then Cam Akers was bottled up on second down before Trishton Jackson had a pass near the goal line go incomplete off his hands.
Atlanta extended the lead to 21-13 on a 61-yard touchdown on a quick pass to the right flat from Heinicke to tight end Jonnu Smith, and Smith beat everyone down the sideline for the longest touchdown of the season for the Falcons.
Jonnu Smith goes 60 yards!
đź“ş: #MINvsATL on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/d4RDZpcMkc pic.twitter.com/Jnm39mX0GI— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2023
Minnesota then scored 10 straight points after back-to-back turnovers by Atlanta.
Bijan Robinson fumbled to give Minnesota the ball with great field position and Dobbs scored on a 23-yard touchdown run and then hit Jackson on the two-point conversion to tie the game 21-21.
.@josh_dobbs1 take a bow.
đź“ş: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/DclKmtFfjn
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 5, 2023
On Atlanta’s next play from scrimmage, Heinicke threw behind his receiver and Byron Murphy Jr. made the interception that led to a 31-yard field goal by Joseph for a 24-21 lead.
The Vikings have won four straight and are now 5-4 with the New Orleans Saints coming to Minneapolis next Sunday, Nov. 12.
