Joshua Dobbs hadn’t had time to learn his new Minnesota teammates’ names in his five days with the team, much less figure out the playbook.
That didn’t stop Dobbs from thriving in what he described as a “learn as you go, hair on fire, hold onto your seat” challenging game.
Dobbs threw two touchdown passes, including a go-ahead 6-yarder to Brandon Powell with 22 seconds remaining, and also ran for a score five days after being acquired in a trade to help rally the Vikings past the Atlanta Falcons 31-28 on Sunday for their fourth straight win.
Minnesota (5-4) overcame the loss of rookie quarterback Jaren Hall to a concussion in the first quarter. Hall had taken all the first-team practice snaps this week as the Vikings adjusted to the loss of veteran Kirk Cousins for the season with a torn Achilles tendon.
"That was a pretty awesome game. Quite frankly, that was one of the most fun game watches for me in the last few years," said WCCO's Henry Lake. "It was just spectacular to see. The team being able to overcome adversity, there was a ton of adversity going into the game. Then Jaren Hall, early on has some moments, and then he gets the concussion. Then Dobbs comes in and the get a safety. Then Josh Dobbs just puts on a show and everyone starts to rally. It was one thing after another."
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell was hoarse after talking Dobbs through every snap, giving instructions through the quarterback’s headset.
The challenge was made more difficult for the Vikings, already playing without top wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who has a hamstring injury, losing receiver K.J. Osborn to a concussion and running back Cam Akers to an injury during the game.
“I don’t know if I’ve been a part of one like that,” O’Connell said, adding all players received a game ball after the game he described as “an ultimate team win.”
The Pioneer Press' Viking beat writer Dane Mizutani said Dobbs was able to make plays despite literally not knowing the names of his teammates. Dobbs comes with a 4.0 GPA and majored in aerospace engineering at the University of Tennessee.
"He's a literal rocket scientist. He's really smart," says Mizutani. "Talking to him last week, he said 'my background will help me intake a lot of information and be able to apply it in real time', and boy did it Sunday."
Mizutani adds that next season and beyond can wait. In the meantime Dobbs at least gives the Vikings hope post-Kirk Cousins injury.
"Is he the quarterback of the future? Probably not," Mizutani told Vineeta Sawkar Monday. "But he's definitely the quarterback of the present. He looks to be someone that has some juice."
Muzutani is also quick to credit head coach Kevin O'Connell who has had to lead the team through some major challenges already in 2023.
"Through every single storm so far this season, Kevin O'Connell has remained calm, and that's really, really hard to do as an NFL Head Coach," said Mizutani. "We saw it with (former coach) Mike Zimmer who was a good head coach in Minnesota, but when things got tough, sometimes Zimmer lost control. And Kevin O'Connell hasn't done that. Losing three of their first four games, sitting at 1-3, Kevin O'Connell remained calm. Losing Kirk Cousins last week after a huge, emotional win over the Packers, Kevin O'Connell remained calm. Losing Jaren Hall who they repped all week to be their quarterback yesterday, and having to start a guy who had been in the building for five days, Kevin O'Connell remained calm. In a lot of ways, teams can mirror the demeanor of their head coach and the Vikings have a really good one."
Dobbs led the go-ahead drive after Tyler Allgeier’s 5-yard scoring run gave Atlanta the lead with 2:08 remaining. Dobbs had a 22-yard run on a fourth down play to keep the drive alive.
Dobbs was acquired from the Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday. The 28-year-old Dobbs started all eight games for the Cardinals. He had his first practice with the Vikings on Wednesday, leaving little preparation time.
“What he was able to do in really five days’ time was as impressive as I’ve seen a quarterback be able to do,” O’Connell said.
Dobbs’ first series of plays began at the Minnesota 7 and ended with a third down sack by Calais Campbell in the end zone for a safety early in the second quarter. The sack gave Atlanta a 5-3 lead.
Dobbs overcame the ugly first series and made his case to keep the starting job. He completed 20 of 30 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns and had seven carries for 66 yards and another score.
“People don’t really care about your circumstance,” Dobbs said. “They just want to see you succeed given the circumstance you’re given.”
“The fact that he got traded this week and comes in and plays like that? He’s a good player, man,” Falcons starting quarterback Taylor Heinicke said. “Playing on a short week, learning a new playbook and scoring 31 points, kudos to him.”
HONORING COUSINS
Hall and other Minnesota players showed their support for Cousins by wearing T-shirts in pregame warmups that included a graphic image of the quarterback. Cousins is out for the rest of the season with a torn Achilles.
INJURIES
Osborn was carted off the field with a concussion following a hit from Dee Alford, who was penalized for a personal foul, late in the first half. Osborn rose to his feet before sitting on the cart for the ride off the field. Vikings LT Christian Darrisaw was inactive after being downgraded to questionable on Saturday with a groin injury. David Quessenberry was the fill-in starter.
Falcons CB Dee Alford left the game with an ankle injury. S Richie Grant was cleared after being evaluated for a concussion in the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT
The Vikings continue their tour through the NFC South when they host the New Orleans Saints next Sunday.
The Falcons visit Arizona on Sunday.
The Associated Press contributed to this story