Christian Booher: The loss of Brian Branch is a brutal one for Detroit’s defense. Because of the timing and severity of the injury, there’s a chance he misses time next year and that would be a big loss for the Lions. Branch is one of the most versatile defenders in the league at his best, and will not be easily replaced.

The Lions are a game-and-a-half back of the Packers, and just a single game back of the Bears. Detroit’s odds of winning the division aren’t completely dead, but they’ll have to finish two games better than the Packers in the final four contests. Here are each team’s remaining games:

The Detroit Lions are right back in the thick of things in the NFC playoff picture, and the Dallas Cowboys are hanging on by a thread. Jahmyr Gibbs scored three touchdowns, Jared Goff threw for 309 yards and a touchdown, and the Detroit defense forced three turnovers in a crucial 44-30 win.

The Detroit Lions offense rolled, but the defense had a mixed night, forcing 3 turnovers and recording 5 sacks but allowing 30 points.

Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell said he fears Brian Branch suffered a long-term injury after Branch was carted to the locker room Thursday.

Two Detroit Lions were fined against the Green Bay Packers following the Thanskgiving Day Classic. Linebacker Jack Campbell is lighter in the wallet $11,593 for incurring a facemask penalty in the third quarter. The former first-round pick was flagged for grabbing the mask of tight end Josh Whyle.