Nov 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) on the sideline against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports.
Twelve years ago, the Minnesota Vikings were forced to play a Tuesday Night Football game at Lincoln Financial Field after a blizzard postponement. Quarterback Joe Webb led the charge following a Brett Favre injury, and Minnesota knocked off a 10-4 Philadelphia Eagles team on the road.
It’s now called The Joe Webb Game.
Well, now the Vikings have The Josh Dobbs Game, a performance that may be parlayed into The Josh Dobbs Season.
Dobbs joined the Vikings five days ago at the NFL’s trade deadline, shipped from the Arizona Cardinals to the Vikings along with a 7th-Round draft pick for a 6th-Rounder to the desert.
The trade was worth it. Eternally.
The veteran passer was nominated for QB2 duty on the depth chart heading into Week 9, available if something happened to rookie quarterback Jaren Hall. Almost right away, Hall was injured with a concussion, and Dobbs was thrust into action.
After a topsy-turvy affair, Minnesota prevailed 31-28, thanks to a game-winning drive from Dobbs, propelling the Vikings to a 5-4 record and driver’s seat placement in the NFC’s playoff picture.
Mind-bogglingly, Dobbs wasn’t even remotely prepared for the occasion, at least not compared to what a normal NFL quarterback might encounter leading into a game. The Athletic’s Alec Lewis tweeted after Minnesota’s win, “Unbelievable. Josh Dobbs said that Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell was essentially translating calls and mapping out plays mid-huddle, as the play clock was ticking down. KOC called Dobbs’ ability to handle it all one of the most impressive things he’d seen in his career.”
So, yes, Dobbs was playing playground football like your children might have at school last week.
Dobbs posted a video immediately after the game while still on the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, “What’s up ya’ll. I’m Josh Dobbs. I’m honored to be in Minnesota and introduce myself to everyone. Tremendous game, team effort. I know the circumstance I was put in was a little abnormal for a Sunday in the NFL.”
All told, Dobbs posted 158 passing yards on 20 for 30 completions versus attempts, 66 rushing yards, 3 total touchdowns, a couple of fumbles, and a safety. His afternoon absolutely was not flawless — no one thought it would be — but with two minutes remaining in the game and trailing by four points, Dobbs marched his Vikings 75 yards in one minute and 46 seconds. Not bad.
Minnesota needed to down the Falcons on Sunday and the New Orleans Saints next week if it wanted to be considered playoff contenders, chiefly because both teams are teetering on the NFC’s wildcard cut-off. Dobbs provided the spark — and then some — in Atlanta and will travel to Minneapolis for a presumed QB1 gig against the Saints in one week.
He could be even deadlier with actual preparation.
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.