What We Saw: Week 9

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Vikings @ Falcons

Final Score: Vikings 31, Falcons 28

Writer: Brennan Rampe (@phdinnfl on Twitter)

These teams both entered the game at 4-4, looking to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Atlanta Falcons were up 11-3 at one point as the Minnesota Vikings looked out of sorts. I thought Minnesota was finished early, and I was thinking about all of the quarterbacks in next year’s loaded class. Joshua Dobbs, who the team traded for on Tuesday, entered the game early and put the team on his back. He overcame early turnovers and settled in. He made plays with his arm and his legs, and his arrival lit a fire in this team. With the team trailing by four points in the fourth quarter, Dobbs led the team on a game-winning drive which left me and everyone in attendance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium stunned. He has been on this team for less than a week! It was another wild finish for the Vikings, who found a way to win. They’re now 5-4.

Two Up

Joshua Dobbs – Made ridiculous plays with his legs, showed great poise, and led a game-winning drive on the road. His stats weren’t great, but he was incredible at the end.
Kevin O’Connell – He was without his top quarterback, maybe the best wide receiver in the league, and an elite left tackle on the road and the team won. It was a coaching masterclass.

Two Down

Bijan Robinson – He may have had more rushing yards than Tyler Allgeier, but lost a fumble and Allgeier vultured a touchdown from him. A mediocre day on the field and in fantasy.
Arthur Smith – Minnesota was incredibly shorthanded and went into Atlanta and won. No Kirk Cousins, no Justin Jefferson, no Christian Darrisaw. K.J. Osborn and Cam Akers also left the game and didn’t return. There was no excuse for the Falcons to lose today! With two consecutive losing seasons, it feels like he’s on the hot seat.

Minnesota Vikings

Quarterback

Jaren Hall: 5/6, 78 Yards | 2 Carries, 11 Yards

Jaren Hall got the start today, and I was looking forward to seeing how the rookie out of BYU would play. He only threw one incompletion, but was knocked out of the game with a concussion while trying to run for a touchdown. It was disappointing, as I was hoping to see more from him. After Joshua Dobbs came in and won the game, he’ll be the starter going forward. The Vikings traded for him for a reason.

Joshua Dobbs: 20/30, 158 Yards, 2 TD | 7 Carries, 66 Yards, TD, 2 Fumble (Lost), 1 Fumble (Recovered)

Joshua Dobbs had to come in after Jaren Hall left the game. He struggled early on, as he took a safety in the end zone and lost a fumble that was very close to becoming a touchdown. After that, he looked more comfortable. There were multiple plays that he extended with his legs that were insane. One of his rushing attempts got him into the end zone, one rush led to an Alexander Mattison score, and another run came on a fourth down on the game-winning drive. He was the leading rusher for the Vikings today. That won’t be sustainable in the future, however. With more experience in the system and when Justin Jefferson comes back, maybe this team can get a wild card spot.

.@josh_dobbs1 take a bow.

?: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/DclKmtFfjn

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 5, 2023

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.@josh_dobbs1 keeping it alive!

?: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/miSvn22meI

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 5, 2023

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Notes

His scrambles were a vital part of the Vikings winning the game. Kirk Cousins never really ran too much.

Running Back

Alexander Mattison: 16 Carries, 44 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 49 Yards, TD

I feel like I say the same thing every week about Alexander Mattison. He had a lot of carries, but most of them went nowhere. He didn’t have many big runs, but he was best as a receiver today. He caught a pass that set up a field goal at the beginning of the game, and caught a receiving touchdown from Joshua Dobbs. Maybe he should be used in the passing game more, as he just hasn’t been impressive as a runner all season long,

.@josh_dobbs1 hits @AlexMattison22 for the #Vikings score!

?: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/k5cYSe290Q

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 5, 2023

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Cam Akers: 8 Carries, 25 Yards | 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 13 Yards

Cam Akers didn’t do much today and left the game in the second half. He didn’t return. The team fears it’s a torn Achilles.

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Jordan Addison: 7 Targets, 5 Receptions, 52 Yards

After four consecutive weeks, Jordan Addison was held out of the end zone. He had a solid day regardless, and had a beautiful toe-tap catch on the game-winning drive.

K.J. Osborn: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 17 Yards

K.J. Osborn caught both of his targets but was carted off after being involved in a violent collision. He didn’t need a stretcher. He was sitting up and fully awake while giving a thumbs-up to the crowd. He didn’t seem to be hurt too badly, but didn’t return to the game.

Brandon Powell: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 15 Yards, TD

Brandon Powell was quiet all day long but caught the game-winning touchdown.

Trishton Jackson: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 2 Yards

The one reception was on a two-point conversion. Minnesota hadn’t attempted a two-point conversion until this week.

T.J. Hockenson: 12 Targets, 7 Receptions, 69 Yards

T.J. Hockenson ended up being the leading receiver today. He had a nice catch-and-run that led to a field goal, and that was the only play that stood out. He looked to be banged up with a rib injury, but it didn’t seem to be anything serious.

Johnny Mundt: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 18 Yards

Josh Oliver: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 1 Yard

Atlanta Falcons

Quarterback

Taylor Heinicke: 21/38, 268 Yards, TD, INT | 3 Carries, 20 Yards

With Desmond Ridder benched, it was Taylor Heinicke who got the start. He provided a spark last week and kept Atlanta in this game. He had some impressive throws in tight windows, but then he would follow it with inaccurate passes and dangerous passes. He always seems to throw at least one interception in every game he starts, and he had one that led to a field goal. He led what appeared to be a game-winning drive until Joshua Dobbs answered with one of his own. He was decent today, but I have no idea who will be starting for the Falcons next week.

Running Back

Bijan Robinson: 11 Carries, 51 Yards | 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 8 Yards | 1 Fumble (Lost)

Bijan Robinson led the Falcons in rushing, but did lose a fumble. On top of that, Tyler Allgeier vultured a touchdown from him at the end of the fourth quarter. No highlight-worthy plays for the rookie out of Texas.

Tyler Allgeier: 12 Carries, 39 Yards, TD | 3 Targets, 2 Receptions

Tyler Allgeier got all of the work on the final drive of the game for the Falcons. He had a lot of carries and scored a touchdown. I thought it would’ve been the game-winning touchdown, but nope.

Cordarrelle Patterson: 1 Carry | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 3 Yards

Wide Receiver/Tight End

KhaDarel Hodge: 6 Targets, 3 Receptions, 60 Yards

With Drake London out, KhaDarel Hodge was apparently the WR1 for this game. All of his receptions were for big gains, but never found the end zone. No Falcons wide receiver had any highlight-worthy plays.

Mack Hollins: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 36 Yards

Mack Hollins caught all of his targets, but left the game at one point and never returned.

Van Jefferson: 4 Targets, 1 Reception, 14 Yards

Kyle Pitts: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 56 Yards

Jonnu Smith: 1 Carry | 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 100 Yards, TD

Jonnu Smith had more targets, receptions, and yards than the tight end they picked fourth overall in the draft. Weird. A lot of fantasy managers are really upset at Arthur Smith for not using Pitts and Robinson more, and they have every right to be angry. After today, I think he might be a bad coach. Smith did have a 60-yard touchdown on a screen, which was easily the best play by a Falcons pass-catcher.