Joshua Dobbs is at it again.
The former Tennessee quarterback capped off a wild week with one of the best moments of his NFL career to date, a game-winning touchdown pass to lead the Minnesota Vikings to a victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Georgia. Dobbs didn’t even start the game, either.
NO WAY. VIKINGS TAKE THE LEAD WITH 20 SECONDS LEFT!
📺: #MINvsATL on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/d4RDZpcMkc pic.twitter.com/Z2REqZMAwt— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2023
Now that you’ve seen how the game ended, let’s back up to tell the complete story.
The former Tennessee Volunteer spent the first eight games of the season with the Arizona Cardinals, playing his tail off despite a less-than-impressive roster around him. Through resiliency and hard work, though, Dobbs and the Cardinals did find a win over the Dallas Cowboys this season.
When Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray was ready to return to the active list before the NFL trade deadline, Dobbs was traded to the Minnesota Vikings on Halloween night after a season-ending injury to Kirk Cousins.
With Dobbs’ quick arrival to Minnesota, the Vikings went with QB Jaren Hall to start Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. Hall, though, suffered a concussion in the first quarter which led to Dobbs taking over the Vikings’ offense less than a week after arriving in Minnesota.
Fast forward to the final drive of the game, Minnesota down 28-24 in Atlanta.
Dobbs rips off one of his patented “how did he do that?” type of runs to extend the Vikings’ final drive.
.@josh_dobbs1 keeping it alive!
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/miSvn22meI
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 5, 2023
Just a few plays later, Dobbs delivered the aforementioned game-winning touchdown pass in the corner of the endzone.
An improbable, incredible way to finish his first game with the Minnesota Vikings.
WHAT A MOMENT
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/2UNQtqRDd0
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 5, 2023
Josh Dobbs ended the game with 20-of-30 passing for 158 passing yards, two touchdowns, 66 rushing yards, and a rushing touchdown. With the odds stacked against him all game long, Dobbs delivered.
“Excited for Josh,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said about the trade on Thursday. “He’s one of the former guys I’ve gotten a chance to spend a lot of time with. A lot of guys in the league end up going from organization to organization, just continue to fight and compete. When he’s gotten opportunities, he’s done a remarkable job, and the opportunity for him to go to Minneapolis and have an opportunity to play football, I’m really excited for him. Obviously, I grew up a Vikings fan with my uncle living there. My uncle actually sent me a text when he got the news. He was pretty fired up.”
.@Josh_dobbs1 🫡 pic.twitter.com/HOOWoWeNMF
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 5, 2023
Dobbs’ game-winning touchdown in Atlanta also reminded Tennessee fans of the former Vol’s other game-winning touchdown in the Peach State.
