Backup QB Josh Dobbs leads Vikings to incredible win over Atlanta Falcons
The Vikings lost Jaren Hall and K.J. Osborn to concussions in the game.
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.
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.
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.
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