This season, Detroit finds itself chasing rather than being chased. With a 53% chance to reach the postseason, the Lions currently sit in the NFC’s eighth spot—just outside the seven-team playoff cutoff. Their 8–5 record leaves them one game behind the 9–4 Bears, who hold both the No. 7 seed and second place in the NFC North.

Head coach Dan Campbell said the formula remains simple: keep winning.

“Nothing’s different in that sense—you still have to stack wins,” Campbell said. “Last year felt the same. There was never a moment where you could relax. The stakes were different then—we were pushing for the top seed and a home playoff game—but the urgency is identical.”

Detroit heads to Los Angeles to take on the Rams at 4:25 p.m. Sunday on FOX 2, entering the final four-week stretch of the regular season.

Their 44–30 victory over the Cowboys on Thursday helped steady the postseason chase. Campbell praised his team for playing what he called “complimentary football.”

“We’ve got to keep winning. We’re trying to climb back into position,” he said. “Dallas was a must-win and we found a way to get it done. That’s the standard on the road now against a very talented team that’s playing at an elite level.”

Looking at the broader playoff picture, if the postseason started today, the 10–3 Rams would hold the NFC’s top seed.

That matchup also means another meeting with former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who currently sits fourth in the league in passing yards—just ahead of Jared Goff, who ranks fifth—and leads the NFL with 35 touchdown passes to only four interceptions.

Detroit will have to handle the Rams’ explosive offense without star safety Brian Branch, who tore his Achilles against Dallas and is out for the year.

Campbell acknowledged how significant Branch’s absence is.

“Losing a player like BB hurts. He’s a tremendous competitor, a great presence in the locker room, and his teammates have a ton of respect for him,” Campbell said.

Still, Campbell emphasized that the secondary has depth. The Lions added veteran defensive back Damontae Kazee to the practice squad and expect to elevate him to the roster soon. Kazee, a nine-year pro, most recently played for the Browns before being released to pursue an opportunity with a playoff contender.

Campbell also praised Branch’s replacement, Avonte Maddox, who stepped in effectively.

“Maddox came in and played really well. That’s a positive sign,” Campbell said. “We’ve got him, we’ve got Daniel Thomas, we’ll see where Kirby Joseph stands, and we signed Kazee. We’ve got choices—we’re not in a crisis.”

He added that safety Thomas Harper remains in concussion protocol but is nearing a return.

“This is going to be a huge test on the road in their stadium,” Campbell said. “But that’s what makes this fun. This is why you do it.”