Vikings hold on to beat Saints 27-19; 5th straight win moves them to 6-4
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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — This latest stop in Minnesota on Joshua Dobbs' seven-year, seven-team NFL journey has become his most eventful experience in less than two weeks.
The Vikings have enjoyed having him even more.
Dobbs kept an injury-thinned offense on track in his first start, throwing for a career-high 268 yards and contributing two touchdowns to help the Vikings build a 24-point halftime lead and hold on to beat the New Orleans Saints 27-19 on Sunday for their fifth straight victory.
"I did pinch myself," Dobbs said, just 12 days after he was acquired in an emergency trade with Arizona and two days after he finally moved out of his hotel. "It's just been really cool being able to take it all in."
After an injury to Jaren Hall pressed Dobbs into action in Atlanta without any prior work with the first team offense, the former aerospace engineering major at Tennessee nicknamed "The Passtronaut" further impressed coach Kevin O'Connell and his staff with his preparation.
"He had a fantastic week of practice," O'Connell said. "I'm having fun coaching him right now."
T.J. Hockenson outgained the Saints by himself in the first half with 10 catches for 128 yards and a score for the Vikings (6-4), who stalled out after the hot start. Mekhi Blackmon and Byron Murphy had fourth-quarter interceptions of downfield heaves by Jameis Winston that ended consecutive Saints possessions, and Winston's last-chance throw into a crowd in the end zone on the final play was knocked safely to the turf.
"We let some get away from us there at the beginning of the second half we'd like to have back," safety Harrison Smith said, "but when the time came, we made the plays."
After Derek Carr was forced out in the third quarter with a concussion and a shoulder injury, Winston entered with a 27-3 deficit and delivered touchdown passes to Chris Olave and A.T. Perry on highlight-reel, high-degree-of-difficulty catches in the end zone over Murphy. Alvin Kamara contributed the vital 2-point conversion runs.
The Saints (5-5) caught a break when Ty Chandler, whose first career touchdown run came in the first quarter for the Vikings, had a third-and-1 scamper for a 29-yard score called back for a questioned holding call on right tackle Brian O'Neill midway through the fourth quarter.
But the NFC South leaders have yet to beat a team with a winning record this season.
"We can't keep digging ourselves into these holes," coach Dennis Allen said.
With the adrenaline of the comeback victory over the Falcons worn off, the Vikings faced a significant challenge against a dangerous Saints secondary that entered the game leading the NFL in interceptions and passes defensed.
Superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) was held out for the fifth straight game, and starting wide receiver K.J. Osborn (concussion) didn't play. Hockenson played through a painful rib injury that was aggravated multiple times. Then starting running back Alexander Mattison (concussion) was forced out of the game in the third quarter. Dobbs was only here, after all, because of the season-ending torn Achilles tendon for Kirk Cousins.
But he went 23 for 34 without a turnover and rushed eight times for 44 yards, including a third-and-6 scramble that started with a 360-degree spin around the pocket to find a crease and ended with a 7-yard touchdown when he juked cornerback Alontae Taylor at the 5 and beelined inside the pylon.
"We've got to get him down," Saints defensive tackle Malcolm Roach said. "We can't ask these guys to cover for 30 seconds."
DOBBS DOES IT AGAIN
Dobbs has three straight games with at least one passing and one rushing touchdown, including his last game with Arizona. The only players with longer streaks since the 1970 merger: Justin Fields (five, 2022), Kyler Murray (five, 2020) and Michael Vick (four, 2010).
"Sometimes it's good coverage," left tackle Christian Darrisaw said. "Josh just has the ability to use his legs, and I guess the defenders forget about it."
TOUGH WEEKEND FOR THOMAS
Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas, who was arrested Friday on simple battery and criminal mischief charges following an alleged confrontation with a construction worker near his home, had one catch for 9 yards before leaving in the first quarter with a knee injury.
INJURY REPORT
Saints: CB Marshon Lattimore (ankle) was taken off on a cart in the fourth quarter.
Vikings: LB Jordan Hicks (shin) aggravated an injury in the third quarter and didn't return. ... CB Akayleb Evans (calf) was hurt in the third quarter and didn't return.
UP NEXT
Saints: Bye week, then at Atlanta on Nov. 26.
Vikings: At Denver next Sunday night.
See a recap of all of the game's biggest plays below.
Vikings hold on to win 27-19
The Saints got the ball back with time for one Hail Mary. Jameis Winston launched it toward the end zone, but it was well-defended and fell harmlessly to the ground.
The Vikings win their fifth straight game and move to 6-4.
Vikings snag another pick
Another errant Jameis Winston throw leads to another Vikings' interception.
Cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. came down with this one. The Vikings take over leading 27-19 with les than two minutes remaining.
Mekhi Blackmon picks off Jameis Winston
The Vikings have temporarily halted the Saints' comeback effort with a Mekhi Blackmon interception.
Saints QB Jameis Winston was hit as he launched the ball and Blackmon secured it for the turnover. It was his first career pick.
The Vikings take over leading 27-19 with just over three minutes left.
Saints cut Vikings' lead to 27-19
The Vikings' lead is down to one possession after another stellar touchdown catch by a Saints wide receiver.
After converting a 4th down earlier in the drive, Jameis Winston threw all the way across the field to A.T. Perry, who outmuscled Vikings' cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. to come down with the ball.
The Vikings lead 27-19 in the fourth quarter.
Cam Bynum nearly picks off Jameis Winston
Vikings' safety Cam Bynum nearly had an interception after cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. tipped a Jameis Winston pass, but on review, it was determined the ball hit the ground.
Saints QB Derek Carr ruled out
Saints quarterback Derek Carr has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game, according to the broadcast.
Jameis Winston will finish the day for New Orleans.
Greg Joseph misses 54-yard field goal
The Vikings had the chance to take back a three-score possession lead, but Greg Joseph missed a 54-yard field goal wide right and the score stands at 27-11 at the start of the fourth quarter.
Chris Olave's excellent TD catch cuts Vikings' lead to 27-11
Jameis Winston has relieved Derek Carr at quarterback for the Saints after Carr took a hit from Danielle Hunter.
Winston quickly led the Saints to their first touchdown of the day, an impressive catch by Chris Olave in the back corner of the end zone.
The Saints converted the two-point attempt, cutting the Vikings' lead to 27-11.
Greg Joseph extends Vikings' lead to 27-3
On their first drive of the second half, the Vikings' offense drove into field goal range and kicker Greg Joseph finished the job.
Minnesota leads New Orleans 27-3 in the third quarter.
Dobbs hits Hockenson for TD, Vikings lead 24-3 just before half
Joshua Dobbs threw a beautiful ball down the middle of the field to hit tight end T.J. Hockenson, who carried it into the end zone for a score.
The Vikings lead the Saints 24-3 in the waning seconds of the first half.
Hockenson has 10 catches for 128 yards and a touchdown in the first half. Dobbs is 18/22 for 220 yards and two total TDs.
Dobbs' rushing TD puts Vikings up 17-3
Joshua Dobbs' continues his run of magical play with a scramble for a touchdown on 3rd and 6. It's the Vikings' second rushing TD of the day.
The Vikings lead the Saints 17-3 in the second quarter. The defense has largely stifled quarterback Derek Carr and the Saints.
Ty Chandler scores on direct snap, Vikings lead 10-3
Head coach Kevin O'Connell got creative in the red zone, calling a direct snap to running back Ty Chandler. It worked perfectly, with Chandler walking into the end zone for a touchdown.
It was Chandler's first TD in the NFL.
The Vikings lead 10-3 in the second quarter.
Saints tie it 3-3
The Saints have added a field goal of their own, tying the Vikings 3-3 late in the first quarter.
Like on the Vikings' scoring drive, the Saints were making promising progress before a holding penalty pushed them back.
Vikings lead 3-0 after first drive
Quarterback Joshua Dobbs led the Vikings to 3 points in the first drive of his first official start.
The Vikings drove down the field effectively, but a holding penalty on 2nd down stalled the drive and forced them to kick the field goal.
They lead the Saints 3-0 in the first quarter.
A near-interception earlier in the drive turned into a big play for the Vikings when Jordan Addison snagged a tipped pass from Dobbs.
Vikings release inactive list
In addition to Justin Jefferson, the Vikings will also be missing pass catcher K.J. Osborn on Sunday.
Osborn is inactive, along with safety Lewis Cine, quarterback Jaren Hall, linebacker Brian Asamoah II, tight end Nick Muse, tackle Hakeem Adeniji and defensive lineman Dean Lowry.
Osborn suffered a concussion during last week's win over the Atlanta Falcons.
There are no notable names among the Saints' inactives.
Justin Jefferson officially out Sunday
It's not a surprise, but the Vikings have officially downgraded Justin Jefferson's status to out for Sunday's game.
The team also made two elevations for Sunday: quarterback Sean Mannion, who will back up Joshua Dobbs, and defensive lineman T.J. Smith.
Justin Jefferson returns to practice
The Vikings will soon get a boon to their injury-riddled offense. Star wide receiver Justin Jefferson returned to practice Thursday, though he's unlikely to play against the Saints.
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Ahead of his first official start with the team, get to know new quarterback Joshua Dobbs.
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