INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — 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.
BEARS 24, TITANS 15
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tyson Bagent connected with Zavion Thomas for a 97-yard touchdown on Chicago’s first offensive play and the Bears wrapped up the preseason Saturday night 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 (2-1) convert its first four fourth downs.
Coach Robert Saleh had talked of building reps for his starters through the preseason games for his Titans (2-1). 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, 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 two TDs before leaving with a 14-9 halftime lead.
Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Commanders, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jackson Chourio and William Contreras homered in the first inning and the Milwaukee Brewers stayed ahead the rest of the way to defeat the Texas Rangers 5-3 on Saturday night.
The MLB-leading Brewers won their fourth in a row and handed Texas its fourth straight loss. The Rangers remained two games behind AL West leader Houston, which lost 6-2 to the New York Mets earlier Saturday.
Brandon Nimmo hit a two-run homer and Cody Freeman added a solo shot for Texas.
Rangers starter Cal Quantrill gave up homers to two of the first four batters he faced.
Chourio's 20th homer of the season came on a night when fans received cereal bowls bearing his name as they entered American Family Field. Quantrill was a strike away from getting out of the inning before Contreras connected on a 2-2 pitch and sent a 409-foot shot to left.
Milwaukee's Luis Lara had RBI singles in the second and seventh innings.
Texas trailed 5-1 before rallying to bring the tying run to the plate in the eighth.
Corey Seager drew a leadoff walk and came home one out later on Nimmo’s 426-foot homer off Chad Patrick. Ezequiel Duran greeted Antonio Senzatela with a single before Jake Burger and Danny Jansen grounded out.
Trevor Megill worked the ninth to earn his 25th save in 27 opportunities.
Quantrill (6-5) ended his six-inning stint by retiring 14 straight batters. He had a season-high eight strikeouts.
Milwaukee’s Shane Drohan (7-5) struck out six in five innings. The only run he allowed came on Freeman’s fifth-inning homer.
The Rangers ran themselves out of a potential rally in the third.
Nimmo’s two-out infield single could have loaded the bases, but Freeman tried scoring from second on the play and Brewers second baseman Brice Turang easily threw him out.
Kumar Rocker (5-10, 4.41 ERA) pitches for Texas and Dustin May (6-8, 4.58) starts for Milwaukee in the series finale Sunday.
See AP’s full MLB coverage here
Milwaukee Brewers' William Contreras (24) tags out Texas Rangers' Cody Freeman at home during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Texas Rangers' Corey Seager tags Milwaukee Brewers' Luis Lara (18) out at second base during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Texas Rangers' Cody Freeman hits a solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio hits a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Milwaukee Brewers' William Contreras gestures as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
