What do Michael Jordan and Josh Dobbs have in common?
shrug.
The former Tennessee-turned-Minnesota Vikings quarterback showed off his swagger and confidence by hitting Jordan for a shrug after scrambling for a seven-yard touchdown in the second quarter Sunday afternoon.
Dobbs made his first official start for the Vikings on Sunday afternoon in Minnesota, leading the Vikings (6-4) to a win over Alontae Taylor, Alvin Kamara and the New Orleans Saints ( 5-5).
He’s here again🚀 @Josh_Dobbs1
📺 @NFLonFOX #NFLVols pic.twitter.com/qODWO3BdIR
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 12, 2023
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell continues to express confidence in Dobbs’ passing ability. Dobbs finished the game with 23-of-34 passing for 268 yards through the air and one passing touchdown. The former Walter also completed eight rushing attempts for 44 yards and one touchdown.
Dobbs’ star continued to rise after the Vikings won their second straight game. The former Arizona Cardinal became the talk of the football world last weekend when he led Minnesota to a win over Atlanta just days after being traded to the Vikings.
Dobbs found a winning tone in tight end TJ Hockenson on Sunday. Against the Saints, Hockenson caught 11 passes from Dobbs for 134 yards and a touchdown.
.@Josh_Dobbs1 Discover @TheeHOCK8 for another #Vikings Fraction
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/ZzBW51cf2i
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 12, 2023
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Former Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor totaled five tackles and one tackle for loss against Dobbs and the Minnesota offense on Sunday.
Kamara, on the other hand, had nine carries for 42 yards and seven catches for 33 yards.
This is another highlight because that’s what you come to see.
Definition of hard play. @Josh_Dobbs1 @TheeHOCK8
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/oHmvK1pIOM
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 12, 2023
Dobbs handed the ball to Jordan Addison on the first play of the game and found the rookie receiver in stunning fashion minutes later.
But concentration! ! !@Josh_Dobbs1 @espn_jordan
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/jWndrbEDGS
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 12, 2023
After a two-game winning streak against the Vikings, the NFL’s Twitter account was flooded with “The Passtronaut.”
.@NFL We 👀 you! 🙌🏽🚀#skoll pic.twitter.com/IzFNM7k3A8
— Josh Dobbs (@josh_dobbs1) November 13, 2023
Astros win second straight game over Vikings 🚀
Minnesota wins five in a row! 👏 pic.twitter.com/pztlEqkTfy
—ESPN (@espn) November 12, 2023
What’s interesting about the astronaut photo ESPN used?
As Twitter user Austin pointed out, it doesn’t even require Photoshop.
You don’t even need Photoshop to work with it. pic.twitter.com/sFtUVkdIp0
— Austin (@AustinPlanet) November 12, 2023
Josh Dobbs and the Minnesota Vikings are in strong form in the NFC North, trailing the Lions by two games, but a two-game set against Detroit is still on schedule. Three of the six teams Minnesota faced in its final seven games this year were under .500.
Dobbs and the Vikings will travel to Denver this weekend for Sunday Night Football against the Broncos.