Josh Dobbs had fewer than five days to learn the Minnesota Vikings’ playbook. His second dropback with the team ended in a safety. His fourth ended in a fumble.
Despite all this, he found a way to rally his new team to a 31-28 victory and keep Minnesota fighting in the race for an NFC playoff spot.
Dobbs led one of the most impressive comeback efforts you’ll see in 2023, shaking off an ignominious start and a fourth quarter deficit to crush the Falcons on the road. It was a victory that came without starting quarterback Kirk Cousins, backup Jaren Hall, top wideout Justin Jefferson and, as the game progressed, important skill players KJ Osborn and Cam Akers due to injury.
JOSH DOBBS JUST JOINED THE TEAM ON TUESDAY.
📺: #MINvsATL on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/d4RDZpcMkc pic.twitter.com/pJVG3OW9y8— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2023
That’s the touchdown pass that iced the game. Here’s the heads-up scramble — the opposite of the early pressure-related struggles that nearly sunk his debut — that made that all possible.
.@josh_dobbs1 keeping it alive!
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/miSvn22meI
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 5, 2023
Dobbs started his day scoring points for the Falcons (one safety, one field goal post-fumble) and finished having a hand in all three of Minnesota’s touchdowns (one rushing, two passing). It was a stunning turnaround that showcased just how valuable he can be — even if his ceiling is as a pretty-good backup.
Needless to say, fans were stunned … and had a few jokes for the occasion as well.
Make Josh Dobbs play for a different team every week.
— Bunkie Perkins (@BunkiePerkins) November 5, 2023
Josh Dobbs introducing himself to his teammates AFTER defeating the Falcons
— Jason Kirk (jasonkirk.fyi on bluesky) (@JasonKirk_fyi) November 5, 2023
joshua dobbs showing up the week of the game, only having one full day of practice and leading a game winning drive is one of the most impressive performances of the entire season
— Tej Seth (@tejfbanalytics) November 5, 2023
Joshua Dobbs putting together a reverse Joshua Freeman game
— Arif Hasan, but NFL 🏈 (@ArifHasanNFL) November 5, 2023
josh dobbs today pic.twitter.com/xli86waq8G
— charles (“you look good” – andy reid) mcdonald (@FourVerts) November 5, 2023
It's time to have the conversation about the 2019 and 2020 Steelers and Josh Dobbs
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) November 5, 2023
some of Joshua Dobbs' scrambles today were the best highlights in the entire league
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) November 5, 2023
Joshua Dobbs has a game winning TD pass in the state of Georgia you say https://t.co/z54DsBijot pic.twitter.com/XCHfZFZu89
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 5, 2023
Imagine If Josh Dobbs was able to stay in a system and develop. Wow.
— Big Joe (@BIGJOEONTHEGO) November 5, 2023
Josh Dobbs was thrust into action mid-game today, four days after his first Vikings practice.
He went 20/30 for 158 yards and 2 TDs, including the game-winner. Had 7 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown. Bounced back from a safety and two fumbles and won the game.
Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/U2CEhDC8y8
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) November 5, 2023
I wanna be Josh Dobbs when I grow up
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) November 5, 2023
Haven’t seen a Dobbs turn in such a powerful perfomance on Fox since… pic.twitter.com/pQIXOBXvi1
— Norm Charlatan (@normcharlatan) November 5, 2023
“No practice, no playbook, don’t matter… imma ball” – Josh Dobbs pic.twitter.com/RwPjidtYjI
— Sleeper (@SleeperHQ) November 5, 2023
Joshua Dobbs landed in Minnesota early Wednesday morning.
On Sunday, he comes off the bench and is on the verge of pulling off a miracle in Atlanta.
Crazy. pic.twitter.com/COkDSGY8Ke
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 5, 2023
Gotta give Dobbs his respect. Dude is put into not ideal situations and continues to battle and ball.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) November 5, 2023
