Russell Wilson strikes late as Vikings' magic runs out in Denver
The Minnesota Vikings kept the Broncos out of the end zone for nearly 59 minutes but Russell Wilson's touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton with 1:03 remaining was the dagger in Denver's 21-20 come-from-behind victory on Sunday Night Football.
Denver's two-point conversion after the go-ahead touchdown failed, giving Minnesota a chance to win with three timeouts and only needing a field goal, but the Josh Dobbs magic ran out with a series of difficult plays that saw Denver apply significant pressure while keeping Dobbs in the pocket.
- 1st-and-10 from the 25: incomplete to Hockenson
- 2nd-and-10 from the 25: 9-yard pass to Jordan Addison
- 3rd-and-1 from the 34: Dobbs scrambles for no gain
- 4th-and-1 from the 34: Dobbs sneaks for 2 yards
- 1st-and-10 from the 36: incomplete to Hockenson
- 2nd-and-10 from the 36: Dobbs throws it away
- 3rd-and-10 from the 36: Dobbs intentional grounding
- 4th-and-25 from the 21: incomplete pass
Dobbs passed for 221 yards and a touchdown and also ran for a score, but he lost a fumble and threw an interception as Minnesota lost the turnover battle 3-0, bringing back memories of the turnover issues that helped send the Vikings to an 0-3 start to the season.
The loss snapped Minnesota's five-game win streak and drops them to 6-5 on the season, two wins behind the 8-2 Detroit Lions in the NFC North.
Here's how the game unfolded...
On the third play of the game the Vikings snapped the ball to tight end T.J. Hockenson, who tossed left to Dobbs and Dobbs was stripped of the ball and hit hard by safety Kareem Jackson.
While TV ref Terry McAuley said on the NBC broadcast that a 15-yard roughing penalty should've been called on Jackson, the refs kept the flags in their pocket and the Broncos got the ball and settled for a field goal and a 3-0 lead.
The Vikings punted on the next drive before Dobbs and the offense got things going, especially on the ground. While Dobbs' 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Josh Oliver ended the drive, it was Ty Chandler and Alexander Mattison combining for 48 yards on seven carries to key the 65-yard scoring drive.
On the next drive, Dobbs hit Brandon Powell and Hockenson for gains of 22 and 29 yards, respectively, before the drive stalled and Greg Joseph kicked a 34-yard field goal for a 10-3 lead.
Denver kicked a couple of field goals to go into the half trailing 10-9.
After a pass interference penalty on Patrick Surtain II gave the Vikings a first down on 3rd-and-13, the Vikings were stalling in the red zone until Dobbs, on 3rd-and-8 at the Denver 10-yard line, escaped the pocket and bullied his way into the end zone for his third rushing touchdowns in as many games with the Vikings. That put the Vikings up 17-9 midway through the third.
Dobbs had just three scrambles/runs for five yards before his 10-yard touchdown and he finished with 21 yards on eight carries.
Minnesota was driving again in the third quarter until Mattison coughed up a fumble and Denver moved deep into Vikings territory and again had Will Lutz knock in a 37-yard field goal to make it a 17-12 game.
Then after a pass interference call on K.J. Osborn put the Vikings in a 1st-and-20 situation from their own 15-yard line, Dobbs was hit as he threw and the pass was intercepted and taken to the 9-yard line by Ja'Quan McMillan.
Denver had to settle for another field goal after a face mask penalty on Marvin Mims, so the Vikings maintained the lead at 17-15.
Minnesota was in trouble on the ensuing drive until Chandler sprinted for 31 yards on a fake punt to pick up a first down on 4th-and-4 from their own 31-yard line. Then on 3rd-and-20 near midfield, Dobbs hit Chandler on a catch-and-run for 19 yards and then Dobbs picked up the first down on a QB sneak. The drive ended with a 30-yard field goal by Joseph for a 20-15 lead with 3:17 left.
But the back-to-back turnovers by Mattison and Dobbs gave the Broncos extra possessions and ultimately served as symptoms for Denver's fatal blow on Wilson's touchdown pass to Sutton.
Up next: Vikings vs. Bears, Monday, Nov. 27 at 7:15 p.m.
