Dobbs bounces back with 50-yard TD run as Lions hold off Commanders, 17-13

Detroit beat Washington 17-13 in a preseason matchup where many starters did not play. Joshua Dobbs, expected to back up Jared Goff, completed 7 of 12 passes for 74 yards, threw an interception, lost a fumble on an early play and finished with two carries for 53 rushing yards, including a 50-yard touchdown run that tied the score.

• Washington took a shockingly quick 7-0 lead after 51 seconds when Dobbs was sacked and the ball came loose on Detroit's second snap. The loose ball was knocked into the end zone and Joshua Josephs recovered for a Commanders touchdown. Lions coach Dan Campbell said protection breakdowns contributed to the play.

• Dobbs was intercepted on Detroit's second drive. On the very next Detroit possession he faked a handoff and raced 50 yards for a touchdown to tie the game.

• Washington reclaimed a 10-7 lead early in the second half when Drew Stevens hit a 27-yard field goal following an 11-play, 78-yard drive led by rookie QB Athan Kaliakmanis.

• Stevens cut the deficit to 14-13 with a 32-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Bates responded with a 37-yard field goal with 2:26 remaining to put Detroit up 17-13.

• A Washington kickoff fumble by rookie Robert Henry Jr. and a successful Detroit fourth-down conversion allowed the Lions to run out the clock.

Quarterback notes and depth-chart looks

• Joshua Dobbs showcased dual qualities in one game: two turnovers and a game-changing run. He said he tries to stay even-keeled after good and bad plays and focus on the next one.

• Jayden Daniels started for Washington but and most of Washington's starting offense left after a three-and-out on his opening series. Daniels was sacked once and had one incompletion on his lone pass attempt. Coach Dan Quinn had planned for Daniels to play only one series.

• Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis, Washington's third QB, completed 11 of 14 passes for 162 yards and engineered the team's first scoring drive of the second half. Kaliakmanis called the numbers encouraging but said he still has work to do.

• Detroit's third quarterback, rookie Luke Altmyer, was 9-for-13 for 86 yards. Campbell said Altmyer sees the field well and needs to play faster.

• Washington will play its final preseason game on Friday in Baltimore.

• Detroit finishes its preseason next Saturday at Indianapolis.

This game served as a depth and situational test for both teams. Dobbs' 50-yard rushing TD answered his early turnovers and proved decisive in a close, turnover-influenced preseason contest. The rookie quarterbacks on both sides left material to evaluate: Kaliakmanis with efficient passing and Altmyer with steady work under center.