Multiple HOFers Flock to Praise the Vikings New Guy
Dustin Baker
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It really shouldn’t have happened this way.
The Minnesota Vikings should’ve looked clumsy after rookie quarterback Jaren Hall was concussed Sunday and coughed away a road game to a decent opponent.
Multiple HOFers Flock to Praise the Vikings New Guy
That’s how the world usually works anyway when a quarterback with just four days of familiarity with the playbook takes the reins. The Vikings should’ve been undone by countless turnovers and inefficiency while losing to the Atlanta Falcons.
But Josh Dobbs, 28, said nope and guided Minnesota to the unlikeliest of victories, downing the Falcons on their turf 31-28 and knocking Atlanta from a first-place perch in the NFC South, at least temporarily. Dobbs’ heroism propelled the Vikings securely in the NFC’s No. 7 playoff seed, just 0.5 games from the No. 5 seed and 1.5 games away from the Detroit Lions for the NFC North lead.
Dobbs passed for 158 yards, completing 20 passes on 30 attempts, with 66 rushing yards, 3 total touchdowns, 2 lost fumbles, and a safety surrendered. It was a ride.
After the unforeseen theatrics, the who’s who of Vikings Hall of Famers took notice, applauding the journeyman mobile quarterback for his performance. Carl Eller tweeted Sunday afternoon, “So inspired by the fight of this Vikings team in the face of adversity. Dobbs is impressive!!!”
Warren Moon followed suit with a tweet, “Very impressed with Josh Dobbs leading Vikings to a comeback win over Atlanta after only being in Minn for 5 days! Amazing comprehension and effort today! Proud of you.”
Perhaps the granddaddy of all praise tidbits, Vikings legend Cris Carter joined the party, too, “Mad respect for Josh Dobbs, what he did today is hard to understand, unless you’ve been in the NFL💜.”
Here are the tweets in the flesh:
Thanks to Dobbs and his teammates, especially on defense, Minnesota now has 71.0% odds of reaching the postseason, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. And that’s after Minnesota was left for dead four weeks ago after sinking to a 1-4 record following a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and an injured reserve trip for Justin Jefferson.
All told, the Vikings have fired off a 5-1 record after starting 0-3, an outcome even the most optimistic fans didn’t predict.
Up next? Minnesota, presumably led by Dobbs with a full week of preparation, takes on the New Orleans Saints at U.S. Bank Stadium, marking the first meaningful Vikings home game without Kirk Cousins at the helm since The Minneapolis Miracle.
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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.
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