Many Minnesota Vikings fans knew that new quarterback Joshua Dobbs had limited practice time ahead of their game in Week 9, but they may not realize just how little it was before he shockingly led them to a comeback win on Sunday.
For all the good luck the Vikings had last year, it has seemingly been the opposite in 2023. Yet, after a rough start to the season and some frustrating defeats, the team has been able to roar back and get themselves back into postseason contention. And their three-game win streak before Sunday occurred with superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson out due to a hamstring injury.
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But, when Pro Bowl QB Kirk Cousins suffered a torn Achilles in their Week 8 victory, it seemed like they were finally dealt the type of bad luck that would sink their season. In a desperate last gasp to save their year, the organization acquired journeyman QB Joshua Dobbs before last week’s NFL trade deadline. However, with his addition coming just days ago, he was not prepared to start this past weekend.
Instead, rookie Jaren Hall was under center for their game against the Atlanta Falcons. However, that consistent 2023 tough luck continued and Hall was the latest key player to be forced out due to an injury. The unfortunate turn of events forced Dobbs into action after only being on the roster for a few days.
Yet, miraculously, he defied the odds and was highly effective in his Vikings debut and even led them to a touchdown that retook the lead with just 22 seconds left in the game. It was a feel-good moment that made the 28-year-old one of the top stories in NFL Week 9.
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Joshua Dobbs did not throw one pass during Minnesota Vikings practice before Week 9 win
However, what Dobbs did on Sunday was even more special than some may realize. Following the game, ESPN Vikings reporter Kevin Seifert revealed just how little Dobbs was able to prepare for the Falcons this weekend.
“Just before his first play as the Minnesota Vikings’ emergency quarterback, Josh Dobbs joined a quick meeting with the offensive line. His new teammates wanted to make sure he knew the five primary cadences they have used this season, a discussion normally handled on the first day of training camp,” Seifert wrote.
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“Dobbs did not receive a single rep with the Vikings’ offense during the practice week. Before Sunday, he hadn’t thrown a practice pass to any of their receivers, nor taken a snap from center Garrett Bradbury,” he added. “He didn’t even know most of their full names, he later admitted.”
The chemistry between a quarterback and his lineman, when it comes to pre-snap reads, is hugely important but that pales in comparison to the unspoken connection QBs need with their receivers. Yet Dobbs and the offense were able to overcome all of those disadvantages this weekend.
In another wild revelation from the victory, the eventual game-winning touchdown pass to Brandon Powell was something Dobbs saw Jaren Hall throw in practice, and of course, was never able to practice with the wide receiver during the week.
Joshua Dobbs is expected to be under center from the start of the Vikings’ next game on Sunday versus the New Orleans Saints.