Newcomer Joshua Dobbs Propels Vikings to Victory in Atlanta

The Vikings struck gold with Joshua Dobbs in their first game without Kirk Cousins.

Final: Minnesota Vikings 31 Atlanta Falcons 28
Minnesota:
QB:
J. Dobbs 20/30 158 yds 2 TD 101.8 rtg (7 car 66 yds 1 TD) 2 fumbles lost
J. Hall 5/6 78 yds 118.8 rtg
RB:
A. Mattison 16 car 44 yds 2.8 avg 8 long (2 rec 49 yds 1 TD)
C. Akers 8 car 25 yds 3.1 avg 19 long (3 rec 13 yds)
WR:
TJ Hockenson 7 rec 69 yds 9.9 avg 29 long
J. Addison 5 rec 52 yds 10.4 avg 24 long
J. Mundt 1 rec 18 yds
KJ Osborn 2 rec 17 yds 8.5 avg 15 long
B. Powell 2 rec 15 yds 7.5 avg 1 TD 8 long
T. Jackson 1 rec 2 yds
J. Oliver 2 rec 1 yd
DEF:
J. Metellus 1 fumble recovery
B. Murphy Jr 1 INT
J. Hicks 1 sack
K:
G. Joseph 3/3 FG (24, 31, 32) 2/2 XP

Game Summary:
Coming into this game, not many had high expectations for what the Vikings were gonna do. Many of us thought we would just be riding mediocrity for the rest of the season. We weren't convinced on the first drive. While the defense was able to hold off Atlanta on their first drive, Minnesota did nothing on offense. However after the defense gave up a field goal, the Vikings drove down the field under direction of rookie QB Jaren Hall. He was leading Minnesota down the field and got to the goal line. He scrambled for an attempt to score but was denied at the goal line and suffered a concussion as a result. The Vikings would kick a field goal. Newly acquired QB from Arizona Joshua Dobbs was trotted out on the field on the next drive. Minnesota would take a safety on his first drive as Dobbs was sacked in the endzone. It would dreary for Minnesota for a while as Atlanta put up 2 more field goals. The Vikings would manage their first touchdown of the day on a pass from Dobbs to Mattison and take a 10-11 deficit going into halftime.
In the 2nd half, Minnesota and Dobbs looked like a completely different team. The teams traded field goals to open the 3rd quarter. Then the defense allowed a 60 yard scamper TD for Atlanta. Things changed drastically from here, as the Vikings would score on their next drive as Joshua Dobbs scrambled for a 15 yard score and then a pass to Trishton Jackson for the 2 point conversion to tie the game at 21. Minnesota would kick another field goal to open the 4th quarter. However, the defense let us down on the last Atlanta drive as they allowed a touchdown from Tyler Allgeier. This wouldn't stop Joshua Dobbs though. He led Minnesota down the field 75 yards until a pass to Brandon Powell just over the goal line gave the Vikings the advantage and was the game-winning score!
Suddenly, after the doom and gloom of last weekend, this Vikings team looks a hell of a lot like a playoff team!

NFC North Update
This weekend, the Packers won and the Bears lost. The Lions were on a bye. However, if Minnesota keeps winning, the Packers won't really matter that much. If the Vikings can manage to win at least 4 games throughout the rest of the season they most likely make the playoffs. This is doable with Only 4 games out of the final 8 games against teams with a winning record as of now, 2 of those being against NFC North leader-Detroit. 

Injury Report
The Vikings lost rookie QB Jaren Hall early in the 1st quarter and was later ruled out with a concussion. I would not expect him to be available next Sunday so Minnesota will have to pull up either Sean Mannion and get Nick Mullens off of the IR list.
The team also lost KJ Osborn to an ugly hit to the head in the 3rd quarter, he was also later ruled out with a concussion.
TJ Hockenson left the game multiple times with what looked like an abdomen injury. He finished the game.
In the waning minutes of the 4th quarter, the Vikings lost RB Cam Akers. He suffered an Achilles injury and will also miss the remainder of the season.
LT Christian Darrisaw did not play this game and was inactive after being day-to-day this past week. The hope is that he will play next week.

Up Next
Minnesota will come home to what is hoped to be a much hungrier Vikings crowd next Sunday when they host the Saints at 12 PM CT.

​#SKOL