Joshua Dobbs was given less than one minute and five seconds for his latest last-second magic with the Minnesota Vikings. Already 1-0 as a starter (and a win after taking the reigns early from an injured Jaren Hall), a third win as a Viking would further expand the feel-good story the journeyman quarterback has become.
Unfortunately, the magic stalled at the hands of the Denver Broncos — falling 21-20 in the Rocky Mountains on Sunday Night Football at Empower Field at Mile High. How were the Broncos able to stop Dobbs’ magic?
Joshua Dobbs Witnesses Pressure Rise Late on Denver Broncos’ Side
Dobbs — who’s captivated the league by playing on his third NFL team since the start of the 2023 NFL preseason and now having the Vikings in the playoff race — entered Mile High facing a unit ranking 32nd in scoring defense.
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Denver held Dobbs and company to 20 points. And they did it by applying pressure, literally.
Dobbs faced a five-man rush during this crucial sequence in the third quarter. Denver defenders got near his face, leading to the errant throw to Ja’Quan McMillian.
#Broncos bring the blitz, get to Dobbs, and pick it off! pic.twitter.com/fl7uF4w3M1
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) November 20, 2023
It was a far different approach from what Dobbs saw earlier in the game, which was a straight four-man rush. He was still able to move the ball against that look, especially on his rushing touchdown.
There is no stopping JOSH DOBBS❕❕ pic.twitter.com/Wufx3ukiIf
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) November 20, 2023
However, that was the last touchdown of the night on the Vikings’ side. The Broncos turned up on defense from there.
Over the next two drives, the Vikings lost the ball twice. The first one came on this Alexander Mattison fumble:
The #Broncos force it out and recover the fumble! It ends a #Vikings drive and gives Denver a chance to tie it up. pic.twitter.com/pTpVW7t0Ch
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) November 20, 2023
The second one was the pick by McMillian. Overall, in the final four offensive drives for Dobbs and the Vikes, they only scored on one possession … on a field goal.
Did Dobbs Shoulder Blame for Loss?
Dobbs has scored at least two touchdowns in all three of his Viking games. But now, he’s endured his first loss in the purple and gold.
“Obviously, a tough loss on the road,” Dobbs said to begin his postgame presser.
Was he critical of the offensive display? Including his own play?
“I thought we did some good things on offense,” Dobbs said. “We challenged the offensive line early with wanting to establish a presence up front and own the line of scrimmage. And they did a great job in the first half of allowing us to lean on them and get us into a rhythm.”
However, he played on an offense that fumbled the football four times (three from Dobbs) and lost two of them (one from Dobbs, one from Mattison).
“It came down to turnovers,” Dobbs said. “It’s hard in this league to go on the road and win. And it’s even harder when you don’t take care of the football like you’re supposed to.”
He added how Denver was able to match some of Minnesota’s concepts during the game, which helped limit explosive plays.
Now, the Vikings fall to 6-5 after watching their five-game winning streak evaporate. It was the Vikings’ third loss to an AFC West team this season.
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