Dobbs makes his case to be Goff's backup by taking Lions on 3 TD drives in 25-16 win over Colts

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 at 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.

Colts are kickin' it with Shrader and Grupe

The Colts' already close kicking competition between Spencer Shrader and Blake Grupe may have gotten even tighter as cutdown day arrives Sunday.

Grupe was a perfect 3 for 3, making field goals of 46 and 36 yards and an extra point in the first half.

Shrader made his only kick, a 60-yard field goal in the third quarter for Indy's final score.

"I think there’s a lot of appreciation coming off of a (torn) ACL to be where he is to kick a 60-yarder was huge,” Steichen said, talking about Shrader. “I’m really pleased with where he’s at.”

Detroit's Jake Bates missed two extra points and had an errant kickoff that allowed the Colts to start their TD drive at the 40-yard line. Campbell said he was not worried about the miscues.

Up next

Lions: Host the New Orleans Saints in their Sept. 13 season opener.

Colts: Will seek their second straight season-opening win Sept. 13 when they host Baltimore.

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