Nov 19, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Viking quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports.
The honeymoon period for Minnesota Vikings Joshua Dobbs hit the pause button Sunday night, as the Minnesota Vikings fell to the Denver Broncos by a single point, 21-20.
The Vikings’ defense mostly did its part, but the Dobbs-led offense struggled to find footing throughout the contest and was undone by three deadly turnovers.
Minnesota will hope to get back on track in Week 12 on Monday Night Football with a date at home against the Chicago Bears. And during that contest and beyond, the Vikings must coax Joshua Dobbs into using his strongest asset — running the football.
Foremost, the Vikings struggle to run the rock — in general. When Dobbs arrived in Minneapolis on Halloween, he added an element to the ground attack totally unforeseen at quarterback since Joe Webb. The Vikings haven’t truly embraced a mobile quarterback since 2012 or so.
So when Dobbs started gutting the Atlanta Falcons defense in Week 9 with fabulous scampers, fans oohed and aahed. Now, Minnesota needs more of that.
Versus the Broncos on Sunday night, Dobbs tabulated just 21 rushing yards, although he did hit the endzone with his legs. If the Vikings wish to remain successful during the rest of 2023 — especially when men like Alexander Mattison consistently struggle to provide ground support — Dobbs must be a prominent ball carrier.
To a degree, this is the Justin Fields argument: NFL fans have preached for a couple of years about the Chicago Bears: Don’t make him a pocket passer; he isn’t that. This can be applied to Dobbs, even if Dobbs’ passing accuracy supersedes Fields’.
Dobbs is a decent thrower of the pigskin but cannot quite fling it like Kirk Cousins, who Dobbs recently replaced. On the other hand, Cousins can’t take off and run like Doobs — or anything near it — so Dobbs can offset life without Cousins with his legs. On throws that Cousins could’ve converted that Dobbs cannot, Dobbs can atone by creating rushing plays that Cousins could not and never will.
In a diet sense, parallels to Lamar Jackson are applicable, too. The Baltimore Ravens’ offense genuinely hums when Jackson “does both,” tossing the football to Marc Andrews, Zay Flowers, and friends while gashing the opposition with his feet. Jackson may be three times more dynamic and reliable than Dobbs, but at least in spots, the Vikings should utilize Dobbs like Jackson in Baltimore.
The mantra can boil down to this: The Vikings will employ this man for at least seven more games — he’s a mobile quarterback, so use it.
And if it doesn’t pan out to an acceptable standard of success, the Vikings can return to Kirk Cousins in 2024 or draft the next guy. It’s a mobile quarterback trial for head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.