After an unforgettable performance against the Atlanta Falcons, the Minnesota Vikings have crowned Joshua Dobbs as their new starting quarterback. With a spectacular showing come high expectations, and fans are eager to see whether he can continue leading the offense after putting up 31 points in Atlanta last week.
However, will the Passtronaut’s high-flying offense come back to earth with another staunch defense on the horizon?
Last Sunday, fifth-round rookie Jaren Hall got the start against the Atlanta Falcons. Hall had command over the playbook and an entire half-season in O’Connell’s notably complex system. It was Minnesota’s only realistic move after losing starting quarterback Kirk Cousins. Hall started and completed five of six passes for 78 yards over two drives, leading the Vikings deep into Atlanta’s red zone before suffering a concussion in a collision at the goal line.
After the Vikings thrust him into action, Kevin O’Connell guided Dobbs using the 15 seconds allotted on the headset and during any stops in the game. The second-year head coach explained the plays and protections as they were called. It was necessary because Dobbs took zero reps in practice with the first team, instead learning installs during his first week in Minnesota.
Dobbs even had to practice his cadence with the offensive line on the sideline. Garrett Bradbury and Co. heard from him moments before they went into the game. Despite that, Dobbs operated the offense with aplomb, with only one penalty throughout the game.
However, the Vikings will face a new and greater test this Sunday.
PFF has the Saints as their fourth-best defense, with the fourth-highest coverage grade. Marshon Lattimore and Cam Jordan are established stars, and Paulson Adebo just won NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Dobbs has real dual-threat potential, which forces defenses to try to contain him. But Minnesota’s rushing attack is lacking beyond his his ability to scamper. In his first game with Minnesota, Dobbs piled up 66 yards on the ground, a marker that workhorse Alex Mattison has only surpassed in two games this season. Dobbs has PFF’s highest rushing grade of any quarterback in the NFL, with an impressive 90.4 mark through nine weeks. However, he will match up against a Saints defense that holds PFF’s third spot in rushing defense.
The Saints will rely on edge-setters Cam Jordan and Carl Granderson to keep Dobbs in check. But Minnesota may incorporate designed runs like read-options and quarterback draws after another week to acclimate Dobbs.
Despite their high ranking, the Saints’ defense allowed 70 rushing yards on eight carries to Tyson Bagent, so Dobbs may be able to to put up numbers on the ground. Outside of Dobbs’ explosive play, there are little to no markers that would suggest a dramatic improvement in the running game. Therefore, the pressure will be on Dobbs to sustain an offense through the air.
Players like T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison stepped up in a big way, playing through injury and hauling in huge catches throughout the game. They will have to sustain that level of play to continue stacking wins.
Justin Jefferson will not return this Sunday, leaving Jordan Addison to continue functioning as the WR1 in his absence, and with K.J. Osborn suffering a concussion against the Falcons, will likely be Brandon Powell and Trishton Jackson the WR2 and WR3. Like Dobbs, Powell also rose to the occasion on Sunday, hauling in the game-winning touchdown. O’Connell will likely have to formulate a way to get his players free releases. He has a smaller wide receiver group that typically struggles against press coverage, leading to plays like Kirk Cousins’ interception against the San Francisco 49ers.
Dobbs will have to protect the ball against New Orleans. There will be a smaller margin for error if the Vikings turn the ball over like they did in Atlanta. While his processing was nothing short of tremendous, Dobbs’ penchant for fumbling is notable, given his unfamiliarity with the playbook. He’s turned the ball over six times via fumble this year.
If the Vikings can sustain drives against the Saints, Brian Flores’ defense can hold Derek Carr and the offense in check. Carr has struggled against pressure. He has a 51.6% completion percentage when pressured and a 62.1% completion percentage when blitzed, and Flores is the maestro of creating pressure via the blitz.
While it may be a more difficult matchup than the Falcons, Kevin O’Connell has inspired confidence with his culture and how well the team played last week. We’ve never seen a Vikings team like this before, with no attitude of quit or acquiescence. When faced with adversity, this team has responded every time, and we should look to see more of the same on Sunday.
