“It’s hard to defeat a man who refuses to give up,” Dobbs wrote on Instagram after the win over Atlanta.
Former Tennessee Vol and current Minnesota Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs is one of the biggest talking points coming out of NFL Sunday.
Heck, we here at Rocky Top Insider wrote about his game-winning drive over Atlanta on Sunday afternoon and we’re already back talking about him on Monday morning.
The videos that came out of Minnesota throughout the evening and the stories that Vikings beat writers shared as they put the pieces of the game together are nothing short of inspiring.
Dobbs, a starter for the Arizona Cardinals over the first eight games of the season, was traded to Minnesota this past Tuesday night and wasn’t supposed to play on Sunday… until he did. Vikings starter Jaren Hall went down with a concussion in the first quarter of the game which led to the Georgia native taking over the offense in Atlanta.
The former Vol had to practice his snap cadence with the Vikings’ offensive line on the sideline before rushing into the game.
Josh Dobbs was teaching the linemen his cadence on the sideline moments before going into the game.
Wild. pic.twitter.com/DOFATYXqZU
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 6, 2023
More from RTI: Josh Dobbs Leads Improbable Game-Winning Drive After Replacing Injured Quarterback
It wasn’t just about the snap count, though. According to Vikings beat writer Alec Lewis, Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell was legitimately breaking down play calls and concepts seconds before the snap in Dobbs’ helmet. AstroDobbs, as fans in Tennessee know him as, was up for the challenge as one of the most intelligent players in the league.
Unbelievable. Josh Dobbs said that Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell was essentially translating calls and mapping out plays mid-huddle, as the play clock was ticking down. KOC called Dobbs’ ability to handle it all one of the most impressive things he’d seen in his career.
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) November 5, 2023
O’Connell couldn’t help but praise the Vikings quarterback in the final seconds of the game. Dobbs threw the game-winning touchdown pass with 20 seconds left in the game after converting a 4th down play with his legs that was reminiscent of his heyday in Knoxville to extend the drive.
Dobbs finished the game 20-of-30 passing for 158 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, 66 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown.
Josh Dobbs and Kevin O'Connell embrace after the @Vikings go-ahead touchdown! pic.twitter.com/l0JthGBpow
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 5, 2023
Dobbs, likely doing the round of postgame interviews, was one of the last people in the Vikings’ locker room after the game. But it was Coach O’Connell who made sure his players made Dobbs feel welcome. The video below has nearly 4 million views on social media.
We needed every last guy today.#Skol pic.twitter.com/nPMlyiwzPg
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 5, 2023
Dobbs was celebrating with humans that he didn’t even know the full name of. That’s football, folks.
Incredible stories from the Vikings' locker room today. Josh Dobbs didn't take a single rep with the offense in practice. No snaps from Garrett Bradbury. Had never thrown passes to anyone, and didn't know most of their full names. "That's for next week," he said.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) November 5, 2023
After the game was over and the postgame celebration died down, Dobbs took to the podium to answer questions from the media in attendance for the game. Dobbs was in his usual humble, competitive mode as he relayed his perspective of the story that was unfolding in front of him.
And we did just that! pic.twitter.com/3irIN9TuuL
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 5, 2023
The Arizona Cardinals couldn’t even get a Josh Dobbs jersey in their team store until Dobbs led the Cardinals to a victory over Dallas in the third week of the season. A sad move from a franchise that truly embodies Kevin from The Office spilling his chili throughout the vast majority of the year.
Minnesota, though? The Vikings were ready. Right next to superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson is none other than former Vol Josh Dobbs.
https://t.co/bRv07TTQoI pic.twitter.com/kmD1zXrQJ1
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 5, 2023
Other highlights from the game and celebration? How about Warren Moon giving a shoutout:
Very impressed with @josh_dobbs1 leading Vikings to a comeback win over Atlanta after only being in Minn for 5 days!
Amazing comprehension, and effort today! Proud of you!
— Warren Moon (@WMoon1) November 5, 2023
“Dobbs is him.”
Wow.
That's all we can say.
Wow. pic.twitter.com/IUSOStsEQ2
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 6, 2023
Here’s one more look at the game-winning drive from Josh Dobbs on Sunday in Atlanta.
Dobbs’ victory came just 26 miles away from his hometown of Alpharetta, GA, and 200 miles away from his college town of Knoxville, TN.
.@josh_dobbs1 keeping it alive!
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/miSvn22meI
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 5, 2023
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
