For Dan Campbell, a 14-point victory over the Dallas Cowboys wasn’t enough to mask the glaring issues that could derail the Detroit Lions‘ season. The head coach made it clear that the Lions can’t afford to carry sloppy habits into the final stretch of the season, a message that carries even more weight after a key injury to Brian Branch.

”Well, we clean up the stuff that bit us today. That’s what we do. Clean up the stuff that bit us. So, we did some good things today. That’s good. Let’s see if we can tweak a couple things and do a version of it,” he said post-game.

Campbell went on to say, “But also, some of these penalties. Let’s cut this out. You know, that’s how you do it. You just start trying to reduce the stuff that could cost us. It didn’t today. We were able to overcome it.”

The Cowboys’ late comeback served as a perfect example of why Campbell’s frustration carried weight. Even without CeeDee Lamb, who left with a concussion, Dallas tried to make a comeback in the contest. Brandon Aubrey continued his incredible season by drilling multiple long-range field goals, including a 63-yarder.

Ryan Flournoy also broke loose on a busted coverage for a 42-yard touchdown. A successful two-point conversion cut Detroit’s lead to just 30–27 with 9:52 remaining, suddenly turning a once-comfortable win into an intense contest.

Detroit, on the other hand, responded with urgency. A long kickoff return set up ideal field position before Jameson Williams hauled in a 29-yard gain, helped by a roughing-the-passer penalty. Moments later, Jahmyr Gibbs sliced through the defense for a 10-yard touchdown, shifting the momentum back to the Lions.

Looking at the bigger picture, the win keeps the Lions in the playoff mix. However, injuries have mounted, and inconsistency has added turbulence, but Detroit is dangerous simply because of how quickly its offense can spark.

Brian Branch injury update adds concern for Detroit

The victory came at a high cost for the Lions, as starting safety Brian Branch left late in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury that required him to be carted off the field. Branch was in a walking boot and on crutches after the game.

Campbell addressed his situation and added that things didn’t look promising, but the team will have more clarity.

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”I mean, yeah. He didn’t finish the game,” Campbell said. “But there again, I’ll know more tomorrow.”

Branch suffered the injury defending a pass intended for Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson in the end zone with under four minutes remaining. After several minutes on the ground receiving treatment, he was taken to the sideline.

His injury is another loss to a Detroit secondary that is already suffering from injuries. Pro Bowl safety Kerby Joseph has missed around 6 weeks with a knee issue. Terrion Arnold is out for the season with a shoulder injury. And D.J. Reed spent time on IR earlier this season with a hamstring setback. It didn’t stop there.

Safety Thomas Harper left early with a brain injury, which forced depth players into some significant roles. By the end of Thursday’s game, Detroit was finishing with Avonte Maddox and Daniel Thomas as the remaining healthy safeties.