NFL Reviewing Egregious Hit on Joshua Dobbs
The referees totally missed it in the moment, but the NFL’s afterhours surveillance may not.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs was very vividly smacked in the face via helmet-to-helmet contact near the start of the team’s matchup with Denver Broncos, causing a fumble and early-game momentum swing in favor of Denver. Minnesota ultimately lost by one point, 21-20.
NFL Reviewing Egregious Hit on Joshua Dobbs
The officiating crew missed the call, which should’ve been a 15-yard penalty, Dobbs fumbled, and Denver took possession of the ball.
Kareem Jackson was the culprit, and the man has a history of nefarious play. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted Monday morning, mere hours after the Vikings’ loss, “The NFL is reviewing Broncos safety Kareem Jackson’s hit on Vikings QB Josh Dobbs on Sunday night for potential discipline. Jackson just returned from a two-game suspension, so a violation could trigger another suspension. No flag was thrown.”
Here’s the video:
The Vikings would turn the ball over twice after that transaction, and an upside-down turnover differential of minus-three caused the team’s fifth loss of 2023. In fact, Minnesota is 0-49 on the road in the last 40 years when losing the turnover battle by three or more.
Reporters asked Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell about the hit on Dobbs and subsequent no-call after the game. He replied, “On the field, it felt like that. I’ll have to go back and look at it. It tends to happen pretty fast out there, but in the moment, coming from the second level the way he did, it seemed like a pretty direct helmet-to-helmet type hit. But I’m sure [officials] saw it differently on the play. They’re officiating a fast play right there.”
Jackson had just returned from a two-game suspension for a similar hit on Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave. Jackson said upon returning from the two-game absence, “I’m unsure as to how I play the game going forward. Because, like I said, I’m still going to be in those situations two to three times every week. So, for me, just try to lower my target and don’t end up in the same situation.”
He apparently learned nothing.
Later in the game, the officiating crew missed another helmet-to-helmet hit on running back Alexander Mattison.
It is unclear if Singleton’s illegal tackle will be reviewed like Jackson’s.
The NFL front office will inspect Jackson’s hit with heightened scrutiny because of his repeat-offender status. If two games didn’t serve as a lesson, he could be staring down a graver penalty, whether an enormous fine or additional suspension.
The Vikings take on the Chicago Bears next week at U.S. Bank Stadium on Monday Night Football and are early 3.5-point favorites.
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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