Lions catch breath before making playoff push with games against Rams, Steelers, Vikings and Bears

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Lions are getting a brief break.

Detroit earned a desperately needed 44-30 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night, going 2-1 in a three-game stretch of home games over 12 days.

“We handled our business,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. "Now, we get a little breather. We get a couple of days here to catch our breath and then we get ready for the Rams.”

The Lions (8-5) would not be in the playoffs if they started next week, but the two-time defending NFC North champions have a chance to play their way in.

It won't be easy, especially after Pro Bowl safety Brian Branch tore his left Achilles tendon against Dallas.

Detroit’s playoff probability is 54%, according to the NFL, with four games left in the regular season.

The banged-up Lions will have the weekend off before reporting to the team's training facility on Monday to begin preparing to face former Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams on the road Dec. 14.

Detroit plays the Pittsburgh Steelers in its home finale on Dec. 21 before visiting Minnesota on Christmas Day and closing the regular season at Chicago — potentially with a lot at stake.

“We want to kind of be on this up ramp by the time we hit the playoffs, where we’re this dangerous team who can kind of go toe to toe with anybody,” Lions quarterback Jared Goff said. “That’s what you want and we’re right there.”

Jahmyr Gibbs had 120 yards of offense and three scores in his latest sensational performance. He joined Hall of Famers Barry Sanders, Eric Dickerson and Earl Campbell as the four players in NFL history with 4,500 yards from scrimmage and 45 touchdowns during the first three seasons of a career.

Detroit didn't adequately replace veteran guard Kevin Zeitler when he left in free agency to sign with Tennessee and that has become a glaring problem.

Christian Mahogany had the first opportunity to fill the role before breaking his leg last month. Against Dallas, the Lions rotated 27-year-old Trystan Colon and fifth-round pick Miles Frazier into the game and they had mixed results.

“There were some mistakes certainly that want to be cleaned up, but for the most part did a good job,” Campbell said.

Jameson Williams is coming off the most productive games of his career, matching a career high with seven catches for 96 yards against the Cowboys a week after setting career highs with seven receptions and 144 yards along with a touchdown in a loss to Green Bay.

Injuries in the secondary are piling up. Branch tore his left Achilles tendon, according to a person familiar with the situation. Tests revealed the significant injury on Friday, the person told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the results were not announced.

Free safety Thomas Harper, filling in for injured All-Pro Kerby Joseph, suffered a concussion in the first quarter against the Cowboys. Cornerback Terrion Arnold was put on injured reserve earlier this week.

Branch's injury is a big blow for a team that counts on the hard-hitting defensive back with coverage skills. Receiver and punt returner Kalif Raymond has missed two straight games. Brock Wright, filling in for injured tight end Sam LaPorta, was put on injured reserve on Thursday.

58 — The Lions will play their 58th game without losing back-to-back regular-season games at Los Angeles, the league's longest run since San Francisco's 60-game run without dropping consecutive games from 1995 to 1999, according to Sportradar. The Rams have the second-longest active streak, going 24 games without losing two in a row in the regular season.

Rest from a grueling, three-game stretch and recover from injuries to get healthy for the final part of the season.

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Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell speaks during a press conference following an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff works out prior to an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) is stopped short of the goal line by Dallas Cowboys defensive end James Houston (53) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (19) takes a hit from Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (32) during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) runs for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Melania Trump on Friday visited a children's hospital and wished the patients strength and lots of toys from Santa Claus as she continued a decades-old tradition for first ladies.

Two patients — an 11-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl — escorted her into the festively decorated atrium at Children's National hospital in the nation's capital. Trump sat in a big red chair in front of a tall Christmas tree and read, “How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?” by Mac Barnett, for about two dozen child patients and others in the audience.

After closing the book, she wished the children strength and “a lot of toys."

“I'm sure Santa will visit all of you this Christmas and bring you a lot of toys, so i wish you all a very merry Christmas and happy new year,” she said. “I wish you a lot of strength and love.”

President Donald Trump “is sending love and best wishes as well," she said.

The first lady chatted individually with the children in the audience before she went off to visit privately with patients in the hospital's hematology and oncology wing.

The Santa Claus in the room slipped her a gold-colored coin that said, “Believe” and “Merry Christmas.” She brought gifts for the patients, including tree ornaments stamped with “Be Best,” the name of her child well-being initiative.

The hospital visit continued a holiday tradition started by Bess Truman, who was first lady from 1945 to 1953.

First lady Melania Trump talks to children and their families at Children's National Hospital, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

First lady Melania Trump departs after talking with patients and their families at Children's National Hospital, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

First lady Melania Trump hugs Faith Hinkle, a 5-year-old Children's National Hospital patient, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

First lady Melania Trump reads "How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?" to children and their families at Children's National Hospital, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)