Joshua Dobbs fired a go-ahead, 6-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Powell with 20 seconds remaining, and the Minnesota Vikings pulled off a 31-28 win over the host Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon.
Dobbs’ last-minute heroics capped a sterling performance in which he came off the bench only five days after Minnesota (5-4) acquired him from the Arizona Cardinals. He replaced rookie starter Jaren Hall, who sustained a concussion on a scramble in the first half, and went on to pass for 158 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 66 yards and a score.
Taylor Heinicke completed 21 of 38 passes for 268 yards, one touchdown and one interception for Atlanta (4-5). Heinicke heaved a Hail Mary pass attempt but it fell incomplete as time expired.
The back-and-forth battle included three lead changes in the fourth quarter.
Atlanta seized a 28-24 advantage with 2:08 to go when Tyler Allgeier barreled into the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown that capped a 13-play, 79-yard drive.
The Vikings got the ball on their own 25-yard line with 2:04 left. They faced fourth-and-7 when Dobbs scrambled 22 yards for a first down at the Falcons’ 12-yard line, and two plays later Dobbs zipped a pass to T.J. Hockenson at the 6-yard line.
On the game-winning play, Dobbs turned to his left and found Powell, who jumped to make the grab.
The Falcons, who led 11-10 at halftime, made it 14-10 when Younghoe Koo made a 54-yard field goal on their opening drive of the third quarter.
Minnesota cut the deficit to 14-13 on the next drive when Greg Joseph made a 32-yard field goal.
A big play gave Atlanta a 21-13 advantage with 6:54 remaining in the third quarter. Heinicke flipped a screen pass to Jonnu Smith, who sprinted through traffic and down the right sideline for a 60-yard touchdown.
Dobbs used his feet and arm to help the Vikings even the score at 21-21 late in the third quarter. He shed a defender and sprinted for an 18-yard rushing touchdown and converted a two-point conversion by throwing a dart to Trishton Jackson just across the goal line.
Minnesota took its first lead of the game with 14:18 remaining in the game. After Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. picked off Heinicke, Joseph made a 31-yard field goal five plays later to make it 24-21.
–Field Level Media
