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The honeymoon phase between Josh Dobbs and the Minnesota Vikings appears to be over.
Dobbs suffered his first loss since joining the organization in a 21-20 effort against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday night. He didn’t play poorly but it certainly wasn’t the cleanest game from the signal caller—who has been the story of this season.
The Vikings were crushed in the turnover battle, coughing the ball up three times—including a fumble and interception by Dobbs. He had three fumbles on the night, though he only lost one.
However, the biggest turnover of the game came courtesy of Minnesota running back Alexander Mattison in the third quarter when the Vikings had a chance to go up two scores.
Up 17-9 with just under three minutes remaining in the third period and within field goal range, Mattison fumbled. The turnover ultimately led to Denver cutting the deficit to five points with a field goal.
It was a momentum-changing play as the Vikings looked to put the game away. Mattison’s second fumble of the season couldn’t have come at a worse time.
And Minnesota fans were quick to call out the fifth-year running back.
NFL @NFL
Fumble! Broncos come up with another takeaway
📺: #MINvsDEN on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/XjBVd5cU8l pic.twitter.com/SviuySql8s
Dominique Clare @DomClare
I never want to see Mattison start again. That fumble gifted the Broncos the game.
The Vikings would have put the game away on that drive.
Kevin Seifert @SeifertESPN
Vikings were moving in for what could have been a decisive score, given how their defense is playing. Instead, Alexander Mattison’s lost fumble is the team’s second of the night.
Vikings 17, Broncos 9. 2:48 Q3.
Peter Schoenke @PeterSchoenke
Still can’t believe the Vikes lost that one. Mattison fumble really just changed everything.
Edge @AddisonEra2
Watching Mattison take the field on first down the next drive pic.twitter.com/UmhYaTmSIS
Shelby “Tweetin” @shelbytweten
The fact we kept giving Mattison the ball after the fumble…we gave the game away smh
Logan Koster @logan_1313
Vikings offense to any defense asking for turnovers pic.twitter.com/if7prHroxn
Producer Allie @ProducerAllieCD
Minnesota had a chance to extend their lead, but no. We get a turnover and Denver chips away at the #Vikings lead. Buckle up, another nail biter. pic.twitter.com/vJ72tE5hWU
Dane Mizutani @DaneMizutani
The pass falls harmless to the turf and the Vikings are going to lose. Turnovers. The story of the game.
Alec Lewis @alec_lewis
It has felt like the way the Vikings lose this game is turnovers. And there’s one from Alexander Mattison amid a great drive. Just cannot happen.
Kung Fu Kenny @kennysipes
The optimist in me says we lost by one on the road with three turnovers. It’s correctable. We corrected it for five weeks. We will again. #Vikings
Will Ragatz @WillRagatz
Three turnovers, zero takeaways. Had to settle for a couple short field goals. That’s a recipe for a loss in a game where the Vikings generally played well on both sides of the ball.
Alec Lewis @alec_lewis
The Vikings lost to the Broncos, 21-20.
Turnovers crushed them. Defense held up in red zone until the end. Coudn’t win on the margins of field position and such. Youth showed a bit. Tough loss.
The record is 6-5.
Vikings Nation @vikingsnationmn
Costly turnovers and conservative second half play calling by KOC (again) ruined the momentum. pic.twitter.com/vGVyTXPHhO
Next up for the Vikings is a divisional matchup against the lowly Chicago Bears, who are coming off a heartbreaking loss against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
The game between Minnesota and Chicago is set for Nov. 27 and will be crucial to Minnesota’s playoff hopes.
