Josh Dobbs’ athleticism just might be the element that takes the Vikings’ offense to another level. The 28-year-old career backup made his first start for Minnesota on Sunday and his touchdown scramble before halftime gave the Vikings a 17-3 lead.
Josh Dobbs with another Tecmo Bowl touchdown.
Reminder: He joined the #Vikings 12 days ago. pic.twitter.com/WF4k8PVyny
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 12, 2023
And it wasn’t just any touchdown scramble, it was a run by a quarterback that Vikings fans haven’t seen since Fran Tarkenton in the 1970s as Dobbs took the shotgun snap, danced in the pocket and then reversed direction and outran defenders to the corner of the end zone for a 7-yard score.
Dobbs had 66 rushing yards and an 18-yard touchdown run when he entered the game in relief of Jaren Hall in last week’s thriller against Atlanta.
Dobbs, playing without two of his top three wide receivers – Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn – had 30 rushing yards after his touchdown and had completed 13-of-17 passes for 162 yards.
One of his incomplete passes was a near-touchdown to rookie Jordan Addison with 4:18 left in the second quarter, but Addison was unable to maintain control of the ball when he made contact with the ground.
