The next chapter of the Vikings' season began with an early twist and an epic conclusion. That it was merely the introduction for both Jaren Hall & Josh Dobbs makes the way the game unfolded even sweeter.
Obviously it comes with the unfortunate caveat that Hall didn't get to build on a decent first start but the fact that he can go back to learning without the pressure of performance is a nice consolation for the franchise.
No one knew that Dobbs would have to take a snap today. Few knew whether he would be able to do anything good should he have been pressed into duty. To say that he answered the bell & all questions would be putting it mildly. He showed veteran poise and used surprising athleticism to make the offense more than even Cousins would have been able to. Give him a full week of practice, Justin Jefferson eventually, Christian Darrisaw eventually and there's a chance he will be the one in conversation for an extension at millions more per year than he's ever made that would still be less than Swaggy would likely command.
Maybe that's all pie in the sky that will come down like a sack of boulders against New Orleans but there are reasons to be optimistic. If you don't want to be, go somewhere else.
Still here? Okay
Well, the other sudden-turn in football action came from the other side of the line. After showing steady improvement week by week the defense had it's worst performance in more than a month. Yes, Brian Flores still got them ready to do some good things but the 26 points & 370 yards that went against them are blemishs.
To try and sell that it may be the beginning of a trend would be an overreaction equal to the one about the quarterback above, but with even less to base it on. That they weren't able to keep that offense below the 20s should serve as a warning but unless it happens again next Sunday, and possibly the Sunday after that, concern should remain tempered by the previous good to great performances.
With four more games before they find themselves back in the deep end of the League's pool both Dobbs & the defense have a great runway into the final month of action.
To be boil it down to one thing, we learned that the team didn't lose it's moxie with the injury to Kirk Cousins. I don't think there is a better thing that could have come out of the ATL than that!
B+
B
They remain on the fringe of the playoff standings but have yet to fully make up for the 0-3 start to the season. Making it to 7-4 could move the needle up to the next grade.
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