The Detroit Lions significantly increased their odds of earning a spot in the postseason after defeating the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14. According to the New York Times, the Lions currently have a 45 percent chance of being one of the seven teams to earn a spot in the NFC playoffs this season.

The Detroit Lions looked like a fading team in a loss to Green Bay. But they quickly rebounded in a 44-30 conquest of the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday.

A look at updated Detroit Lions playoff odds and the NFC playoff picture after their win over the Dallas Cowboys.

This former Lions draft pick competed at Ford Field for the first time since a release from the organization in 2024.

The Lions move along with at 8-5, not comfortable with their playoff situation but feeling better about their chances. The Cowboys now have to win out to have any realistic chance, and even that might not be enough.

Follow along here for live updates as the Lions try to make up ground in the playoff hunt, taking on the Dallas Cowboys at Ford Field.

The duo passed the Cowboys' tandem of the 1990s in Emmitt Smith and Daryl Johnston. Those two players played together for a decade, with Smith being the NFL's all-time leading rusher and Johnston being remembered as one of the league's best fullbacks.