Joshua Dobbs leads Vikings to 31-28 win over Falcons
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ATLANTA — Joshua Dobbs hadn't had time to learn his new Minnesota teammates' names in his five days with the team, much less figure out the playbook.
That didn't stop Dobbs from thriving in what he described as a "learn as you go, hair on fire, hold onto your seat" challenging game.
Dobbs threw two touchdown passes, including a go-ahead 6-yarder to Brandon Powell with 22 seconds remaining, and also ran for a score five days after being acquired in a trade to help rally the Vikings past the Atlanta Falcons 31-28 on Sunday for their fourth straight win.
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Minnesota (5-4) overcame the loss of rookie quarterback Jaren Hall to a concussion in the first quarter. Hall had taken all the first-team practice snaps this week as the Vikings adjusted to the loss of veteran Kirk Cousins for the season with a torn Achilles tendon.
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell was hoarse after talking Dobbs through every snap, giving instructions through the quarterback's headset.
The challenge was made more difficult for the Vikings, already playing without top wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who has a hamstring injury, losing receiver K.J. Osborn to a concussion and running back Cam Akers to an injury during the game.
"I don't know if I've been a part of one like that," O'Connell said, adding all players received a game ball after the game he described as "an ultimate team win."
Dobbs led the go-ahead drive after Tyler Allgeier's 5-yard scoring run gave Atlanta the lead with 2:08 remaining. Dobbs had a 22-yard run on a fourth down play to keep the drive alive.
Dobbs was acquired from the Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday. The 28-year-old Dobbs started all eight games for the Cardinals. He had his first practice with the Vikings on Wednesday, leaving little preparation time.
"What he was able to do in really five days' time was as impressive as I've seen a quarterback be able to do," O'Connell said.
Dobbs' first series of plays began at the Minnesota 7 and ended with a third down sack by Calais Campbell in the end zone for a safety early in the second quarter. The sack gave Atlanta a 5-3 lead.
Dobbs overcame the ugly first series and made his case to keep the starting job. He completed 20 of 30 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns and had seven carries for 66 yards and another score.
"People don't really care about your circumstance," Dobbs said. "They just want to see you succeed given the circumstance you're given."
The Falcons (4-5) had their own quarterback drama this week.
Taylor Heinicke was selected as Atlanta's starter on Wednesday. Heinicke took over in the second half of last week's 28-23 loss at Tennessee after Desmond Ridder was sacked five times and lost a fumble - his 10th turnover in the past five games.
More changes could be coming.
"Every week, we are looking to improve," coach Arthur Smith said. "We lose games this close, we have to change something to get over the hump."
The Falcons (4-5) took pressure off Heinicke when the game was on the line, running the ball on the final 12 plays of their 13-play, go-ahead touchdown drive. That included five consecutive runs by Allgeier.
Heinicke threw a 60-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jonnu Smith to give the Falcons a 21-13 lead in the third quarter. Dobbs' 18-yard scoring run and 2-point pass to Trishton Jackson tied the game.
Heinicke completed 21 of 38 passes for 268 yards with one touchdown and one interception and then threw a compliment to Dobbs.
"The fact that he got traded this week and comes in and plays like that? He's a good player, man," Heinicke said. "Playing on a short week, learning a new playbook and scoring 31 points, kudos to him."
HONORING COUSINS
Hall and other Minnesota players showed their support for Cousins by wearing T-shirts in pregame warmups that included a graphic image of the quarterback.
INJURIES
Osborn was carted off the field with a concussion following a hit from Dee Alford, who was penalized for a personal foul, late in the first half. Osborn rose to his feet before sitting on the cart for the ride off the field. Vikings LT Christian Darrisaw was inactive after being downgraded to questionable on Saturday with a groin injury. David Quessenberry was the fill-in starter.
Falcons CB Dee Alford left the game with an ankle injury. S Richie Grant was cleared after being evaluated for a concussion in the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT
The Vikings continue their tour through the NFC South when they host the New Orleans Saints next Sunday.
The Falcons visit Arizona on Sunday.
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Anyone who watched Joshua Dobbs' performance against the Atlanta Falcons doesn't need advanced statistics to know how impressive it was. But according to ESPN's total quarterback rating, Dobbs was the best passer in the league on Sunday.
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Vikings legends react to QB Josh Dobbs' comeback win: "Very impressed"
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Vikings fans optimistic after exciting win that featured 2 quarterback debuts: "It's classic Minnesota"
It was a full house at Shakopee Bowl on Sunday afternoon, where fans were excited and anxious to see a brand new Vikings quarterback debut, but little did they know they were going to see two new quarterbacks perform.
Eyes were glued to the dozens of TVs wrapped around the walls of the bar as they watched rookie Jaren Hall start the game and leave just minutes into the first quarter, which sent fans hopes for the season into question again.
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Video recap: Dobbs leads Minnesota to victory
Vikings beat Falcons 31-28
The Falcons' last-minute Hail Mary fell short, and the Vikings win 31-28.
Vikings take 31-28 lead over Falcons
Joshua Dobbs converted a do-or-die 4th and 7 with his legs, then a few plays later threw the go-ahead touchdown to Brandon Powell.
The Vikings lead the Falcons 31-28 with 22 seconds left.
Falcons take 28-24 lead just before 2-minute warning
The Falcons have taken the lead in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter. They lead the Vikings 28-24 just before the two-minute warning.
Running back Tyler Allgeier scored the go-ahead TD.
A penalty pushed the extra point attempt back, but kicker Younghoe Koo made it easily.
Cam Akers ruled out
The Vikings announced running back Cam Akers will miss the rest of Sunday's game with an ankle injury.
Vikings take first lead of day on Greg Joseph field goal
The Vikings scored three points off of Byron Murphy Jr.'s interception. Greg Joseph's field goal gives Minnesota its first lead of the day, 24-21.
Vikings get ball right back on Byron Murphy Jr. pick
Right after scoring the tying touchdown, the Vikings got the ball right back when Byron Murphy Jr. intercepted a Taylor Heinicke pass.
Dobbs rushes for 2nd TD of day, Vikings tie Falcons 21-21
In his first game as a Viking, QB Joshua Dobbs has a passing and rushing touchdown.
Dobbs turned a first down scramble into a score. A successful two-point conversion tied the game at 21-21.
Vikings force Falcons fumble
The Vikings forced a fumble by rookie running back Bijan Robinson and managed to recover it in Falcons territory.
They trail 21-13 with an opportunity to score after the turnover.
Falcons take 21-13 lead on 60-yard TD
Tight end Jonnu Smith burned the Vikings on a 60-yard touchdown catch and the Falcons have a 21-13 lead.
Vikings cut Falcons lead to 14-13 with field goal
A promising offensive drive by the Vikings once again stalled in the red zone. A Greg Joseph field goal netted them 3 points. They trail the Falcons 14-13.
Koo's 4th field goal gives Falcons 14-10 lead over Vikings
Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo is 4/4 on field goals in Sunday's game. After his latest, the Falcons lead the Vikings 14-10.
Dobbs has 2nd turnover on 1st drive of 2nd half
The Vikings got the ball to start the second half, but a second turnover by Joshua Dobbs gave the Falcons the ball.
Joshua Dobbs throws first TD as Viking
Joshua Dobbs has his first touchdown as a Minnesota Viking after hitting Alexander Mattison in the end zone on a rollout.
The Vikings trail the Falcons 11-10 with less than a minute left in the second half.
Dobbs made a huge play earlier in the drive when he scrambled for 11 yards on 3rd and 10.
K.J. Osborn ruled out with concussion
K.J. Osborn is the second Vikings player to be ruled out with a concussion Sunday.
Osborn was carted off the field after a scary hit while he tried to secure a catch.
K.J. Osborn carted off after scary hit
Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn was carted off the field in the second quarter after taking a scary hit while trying to make a catch over the middle of the field.
Osborn was moving and alert as he was carted off, even giving fans a thumbs up.
Another field goal gives Falcons 11-3 lead
After a turnover by the Vikings' offense put the Falcons at the goal line, the Vikings' defense held firm, forcing Atlanta to kick a field goal.
The Falcons lead 11-3 midway through the second quarter.
New QB Dobbs fumbles, Falcons recover
New QB Joshua Dobbs has his first turnover as a Vikings.
Dobbs was stripped on a scramble. The Falcons recovered and returned it to near their own goal line.
Falcons take 5-3 lead on safety
Josh Dobbs' first drive as the Vikings' quarterback ended in disaster as the Falcons took him down in the end zone for a safety.
The Falcons now lead 5-3 and will get possession of the ball.
Jaren Hall ruled out with concussion
Jaren Hall has been ruled out in his first start and is being evaluated for a concussion, according to the team.
Joshua Dobbs, whom the Vikings traded for earlier this week, has replaced Hall.
Vikings tie it 3-3; Jaren Hall shaken up on goal line run
The Vikings have tied the Falcons at 3-3 after a promising drive stalled at the goal line.
Jaren Hall looked like he might score on a third down scramble, but he was stopped short of the end zone. He was shaken up on the play and backup Josh Dobbs, who just joined the Vikings this week, was getting loose on the sideline.
Jaren Hall hits Alexander Mattison for huge gain
Rookie QB Jaren Hall had his first big play of the day on a completion to a wide-open Alexander Mattison down the sideline.
The Vikings picked up 47 yards on the play.
Falcons score first with 52-yard field goal
The Falcons lead the Vikings 3-0 early after kicker Younghoe Koo hit a 52-yard field goal.
The Vikings' first offensive drive ended in a three-and-out.
LT Christian Darrisaw inactive
Rookie QB Jaren Hall will have to make his first start without his stalwart left tackle. The Vikings announced Sunday morning Christian Darrisaw is inactive for Sunday's game.
Darrisaw was listed as questionable on Saturday's injury report due to a groin issue.
Also inactive for the Vikings: safety Lewis Cine, running back Kene Nwangwu, linebacker Brian Asamoah, tight end Nick Muse, wide receiver Jalen Nailor and defensive lineman Dean Lowry.
The Falcons' inactives: Drake London, Logan Woodside, DeMarcco Hellams, Keith Smith, Jovaughn Gwyn, Travis Bell and Joe Gaziano.
Rookie QB Jaren Hall prepares for first start with Vikings after Cousins' injury
The Vikings think Jaren Hall is ready to start this weekend in Atlanta.
Minnesota took Hall, already 25 years old, in the fifth round of this year's draft as the 12th quarterback selected. At 6-foot, 207 pounds, he was considered a bit undersized. But Hall is athletic and considered to be an accurate passer.
And he's impressed everyone in the organization with his demeanor.
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