Detroit Lions quarterback Josh Dobbs (6) throws before a preseason NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
INDIANAPOLIS -- Josh Dobbs and Luke Altmyer went into the Detroit Lions' preseason finale on what appeared to be a level playing field in the battle to back up Jared Goff.
Now Coach Dan Campbell has a decision to make.
Dobbs, the veteran who signed with the Lions after Teddy Bridgewater retired earlier this month, made his strongest case yet Saturday by throwing two touchdown passes and taking Detroit on a late TD drive in a 25-16 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
"I thought Dobbs really played well today," Campbell said, refusing to tip his hand on who he would select as the No. 2 quarterback. "I thought he really showed out and I just love his composure and conviction. He knows what he wants and we scored."
Incumbent starter Jared Goff did not throw a pass in Detroit's three preseason games, allowing Dobbs and Altmyer to take center stage and essentially play to a draw through the first two preseason games.
But Dobbs closed the preseason with his most impressive performance.
He played the second and fourth quarters and finished 15 of 19 for 128 yards with no turnovers or sacks while executing the 2-minute drill perfectly at the end of the first half. He connected with Lucky Jackson on a 35-yard completion with 12 seconds left and found Tay Martin for a 2-yard score on the next play to give Detroit a 19-13 lead.
Altmyer played the first and third quarters, going 7 of 11 for 55 yards while taking the Lions on a 75-yard TD drive. He also threw an interception, lost a fumble and was sacked twice.
"The first one was not his fault," Campbell said, referring to the ball cornerback Sauce Gardner snared. "We had a bust outside and if we did that right, that guy wouldn't have even been there. I don't blame that on Luke. There was just a couple of times where he held it too long and we've talked about that. I'm not discouraged by it."
Indianapolis has its own backup competition.
Anthony Richardson started along with the Colts' starting offensive line and showed glimpses of what the Colts thought they were getting when they drafted with the No. 4 overall pick in 2023. He was largely on time and on point, going 7 of 10 for 80 yards with one sack while leading the Colts to two field goals for a 6-0 lead.
Riley Leonard, in his second season, struggled in the second quarter despite taking the Colts on their first TD drive since Week 1 of the preseason. He was 3 of 7 for 48 yards but cost Indy a scoring chance when he was intercepted while deep in Detroit territory.
"I thought Anthony had some good drives, for sure," Steichen said. "I think made some good throws, did some good things. I think Riley did some good things as well, just, obviously, don't want to turn it over there in the red zone. But I thought both of them did some good things."
Detroit tied it with Traveyon Williams' 1-yard TD run late in the first quarter. The Lions took a 13-6 lead on Dobbs' 6-yard TD pass to Jackson Meeks midway through the second quarter.
DJ Giddens tied it again at 13 on a 6-yard TD run before Dobbs hooked up with Martin for the go-ahead score with 8 seconds left in the half.
Jacob Saylors carried 17 times for 100 yards for Detroit. Williams rushed nine times for 57 yards and added a 1-yard TD run in the fourth quarter. But Williams lost a fumble, one of four Detroit turnovers.
Jackson finished with five receptions and 94 yards.
Easton Stick got his first action of the preseason for Indy in the second half, going 8 of 15 for 78 yards and took one sack.
BEARS 24, TITANS 15
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tyson Bagent connected with Zavion Thomas for a 97-yard touchdown on Chicago's first offensive play and the Bears wrapped up the preseason with a win over Tennessee in a battle of mostly backups.
With Caleb Williams watching from the sideline, Bagent completed his first seven passes for 155 yards. He also tossed a 2-yard TD pass to Maurice Alexander in the second quarter, helping Chicago convert its first four fourth downs.
Coach Robert Saleh had talked of building reps for his starters through the preseason games for his Titans. After a joint practice against each preseason opponent, all NFC playoff teams, Saleh started essentially backups with Cam Ward watching Will Levis start in a final display before the NFL cut deadline Sunday.
Bagent, undrafted out of Division II Shepherd, showed again why the Bears signed him to a two-year extension in August 2025 to back up Williams. Bagent was 16 of 17 for 208 yards with 2 TDs before leaving with a 14-9 halftime lead.
Tennessee did start a trio of defensive regulars in end Jacob Martin, linebacker Cedric Gray and nickel cornerback Marcus Harris. Bagent had no problem beating the rest of the Titans' backup secondary featuring Keydrain Calligan and Micah Robinson.
Martin recovered a fumble credited to Bagent off a botched handoff on the second drive, prompting a celebration joined by All-Pro tackle Jeffery Simmons, end Jermaine Johnson II and rookie end Keldric Faulk who watched from the sideline.
Levis was 14 of 22 for 143 yards with a fumble he recovered off a botched handoff. The 33rd overall pick in the 2023 draft did lead the Titans to a trio of field goals, the last as time expired.
Indianapolis Colts defensive end George Gumbs Jr. (52) forces a fumble as he sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Luke Altmyer (2) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Indianapolis Colts defensive end George Gumbs Jr. (52) forces a fumble as he sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Luke Altmyer (2) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) throws past Detroit Lions defensive tackle Eric O'Neill (66) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) throws past Detroit Lions defensive tackle Eric O'Neill (66) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) throws over Detroit Lions linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (57) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) throws over Detroit Lions linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (57) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Detroit Lions running back Trayveon Williams (47) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (26) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Detroit Lions running back Trayveon Williams (47) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (26) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)