The Detroit Lions kept their playoff hopes alive with a 44-30 victory over the Cowboys on Thursday night, improving 8-5 on the season and keeping the heat on both the Green Bay Packers (8-3-1) and Chicago Bears (9-3) this weekend.

While in Detroit, Johnson spearheaded one of the best rushing attacks in the league with a one-two punch of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. He's now duplicating that success in Chicago's backfield with D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai.

The Chicago Bears announced signing former Detroit Lions team captain and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin to their practice squad Tuesday.

As it stands, the Lions remain on the outside of the playoff picture. They're eighth in the NFC, meaning they sit just one spot outside of the seven-team playoff field. In the NFC North, they are in third place behind the Green Bay Packers (8-4-1) and the Chicago Bears (9-3), which currently hold the top seed.

Last week, the Bears beat the Eagles 24-15, rushing for 281 yards on the road against one of the league’s most vaunted defensive fronts.

The Detroit Lions have a 7-5 record and are third in the NFC North, while Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears are 9-3 and on top.