Jaren was Darin’ but Dobbs Got the Dub
Joe Oberle
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Vikings Territory Breakdown
Kirk Cousins had missed one game as a Viking before this week and now he will miss the rest of
the season with a torn Achilles tendon. So, it would seem the Vikings’ QB health number is up,
as rookie Jaren Hall, who came in to replace Cousins this week versus the Atlanta Falcons, put a
nice drive together down to the 1-yard line, but was lost for the game with a concussion. So, it
would seem we can’t have nice things. The mid-week replacement of Joshua Dobbs (the rocket
scientist from the Arizona Cardinals) came in and was promptly sacked for a safety—and there
was a collective sigh from Vikings fans.
But then something good happened. Dobbs found Jordan Addison for a big game and then
made a great scramble down into the red zone and suddenly there was hope. Dobbs then
threw a touchdown pass to Alexander Mattison and we found ourselves in the midst of another
bizarre, exciting and amazing football game for the Minnesota Vikings.
They won, somehow, despite having so much stacked against them (Cousins, Justin Jefferson
and Christian Darrisaw out; Hall, KJ Osborn and Cam Akers all leaving the game with injuries).
The defense offered another strong performance, keeping the defense in the game until Dobbs,
a quarterback who got to Minnesota on Tuesday, rushed and passed them into the end zone
(and the winner’s circle) with just 22 seconds left in the game. Dobbs, with a limited playbook
and a lot of determination, led his new team to a 31-28 win and the Vikings’ fourth victory in a
row.
The Vikings entered the game in position for postseason play (if the season ended then) despite
losing their QB1 last week, and this win certainly doesn’t change that prospect. With two
backup quarterbacks who showed poise, efficiency and promise in a season that was formerly
totally off the rails, suddenly the 5-4 Vikings have something going for them. And we here at
the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast (Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory and
purplePTSD and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and
startribune.com) are here to talk about it all. So, tune in and check it out. The Vikings are always
worth talking about.