The Dan Campbell-led Detroit Lions mounted a strong comeback attempt in a game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday. But NFL MVP candidate Josh Allen, who was responsible for four touchdowns in the game, proved to be too much for the Lions to overcome.

While the 48-42 loss to the Bills represented the Lions' second loss of the season, it did not oust Detroit from the top spot at the top of the NFC. The Lions and Philadelphia Eagles enter Week 16 with a 12-2 record.

But the Lions did not reach 12 wins without their fair share of adversity on the injury front. 

Multiple Lions players sustained what appeared to be serious injuries during Sunday's game. Campbell addressed the team's tough circumstances during his regular appearance on Detroit's 97.1 The Ticket. At one point during the conversation, an impassioned Campbell let some profanity slip.

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"You know, what happens is you get used to eating filet — and I’m talking all of us — and everything’s good," Campbell said. "Life’s good, but you forgot what it was like when you had nothing and you ate your f------ molded bread. It was just fine, and it gave you everything you needed. Sometimes you gotta get punched in the mouth and remember what it used to be like to really appreciate where you are, and we’ll do that.

2024 NFL COACH OF THE YEAR ODDS: O'CONNELL PASSES CAMPBELL AFTER LIONS LOSS

"We got a bad taste in our mouth. We got kicked around the other day. We lost a few guys. And you know what? It’s exactly what we needed. This is exactly what we needed."

Campbell also said he doesn't care how the Lions win, as long as his team has more points than its opponent at the end of a game.

"And I don’t give a crap whether we gotta win by one point for the rest of the year, that’s what we’re going to do," Campbell added. "And I’m going to be happy about it. We come out of the game with 50 yards of total offense, and we win by one? You’re going to see smiles on my face. I promise you.

"If it’s the other way, defensively we give up 700 yards, and we win by one point, you’re going to see a f------ smile from my ear to ear, all right? I can promise you. So, we’re going to find a way, and we’re going to get it done."

In October, star defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson fractured his left tibia and fibula. The injury will likely sideline him for the remainder of the regular season, but he could return to action in February should the Lions advance to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.

"We’re going to miss him, man," Campbell admitted. "He’s another one of these guys that got us to this position — helped get us to where we’re at. And the rest of us, we owe him to keep going and make sure that wasn’t in vain."

Injuries will keep defensive lineman Alim McNeill and defensive backs Carlton Davis and Khalil Dorsey on the sideline the rest of the season. Campbell also confirmed that running back David Montgomery is lost for the year due to an MCL injury.

The Chicago Bears host the Lions Dec. 22.

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Left-wing nonprofit ProPublica is facing renewed scrutiny after an email exchange related to its recent unpublished story on Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth was released on Thursday.

A media firestorm began earlier this week when Hegseth revealed on X that ProPublica, which he called a "Left Wing hack group" was planning to publish a "knowingly false report" that he was not accepted by West Point in 1999. Attached to the post was a photo of Hegseth’s acceptance letter signed by West Point Superintendent Lieutenant General Daniel Christman, U.S. Army.

ProPublica editor Jesse Eisinger responded to the post, explaining that West Point public affairs had told the outlet twice that Hegseth hadn’t applied.

"We reached out," Eisinger wrote. "Hegseth's spox gave us his acceptance letter. We didn't publish a story. That's journalism."

TIDE TURNS IN FAVOR OF TRUMP DOD PICK PETE HEGSETH AFTER MATT GAETZ FAILURE

After intense criticism from conservatives online, with some questioning why ProPublica did not press West Point on the inaccurate information and publish a story on that aspect, Eisinger posted a lengthy X thread outlining the steps ProPublica had taken researching the story claiming and touting how they "care about accuracy" and being "intellectually honest" and had given Hegseth a "fair chance to respond to all of the salient facts in the story."

Questions about ProPublica’s journalistic standards intensified shortly afterward when Daily Caller published an email from reporter Justin Elliot reaching out to Hegseth’s lawyer, giving him an hour to respond to the allegation that he never went to West Point and asking, "Why did Mr. Hegseth say he got into West Point when that is not true?" 

SAMUEL ALITO SLAMS PROPUBLICA AS 'MISLEADING' AHEAD OF REPORT ALLEGING CONFLICT OF INTEREST FROM SCOTUS BENCH

"How can Mr. Hegseth be Secretary of Defense given that he has made false statements about getting into the military’s most prestigious academy?" Elliot asked.

That email drew the ire of many on social media, who took issue with the accusatory tone of the email and the small window to respond to such a serious allegation, which suggested the story had already been completed without hearing Hegseth’s side.

"ProPublica did not contact Pete Hegseth to get the full story," Red State writer Bonchie posted on X. "They contacted him to claim he was a liar while demanding a response within one hour not to offer his side, but to ask why he ‘lied’ and what else he ‘lied’ about."

"This isn't ‘journalism.’ It's unethical garbage."

"***Nothing*** in Jesse’s 11-tweet thread even hinted that ***this*** is how ProPublica actually approached the story— taking the falsehood from West Point, repeatedly asserting to Hegseth that he was a liar & implying he is unfit for SecDef, & giving him just one hour to respond," journalist Jerry Dunleavy posted on X. 

"ProPublica's Editor-in-Chief claimed that they gave @PeteHegseth a fair chance to respond to the West Point story because they ‘care about accuracy,’" Trump 2024 Rapid Response Director Greg Price posted on X. "According to this unhinged email obtained by @reaganreese, they straight up accused him of being a liar and gave him a one hour deadline to respond."

REPUBLICAN MILITARY VETS IN CONGRESS ARE ON A MISSION TO GET HEGSETH CONFIRMED

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a ProPublica spokesperson said, "Reporters do their job by asking tough questions to people in power, which is exactly what happened here. Responsible news organizations only publish what they can verify, which is why we didn’t publish a story once Mr. Hegseth provided documentation that corrected the statements from West Point."

Fox News Digital reached out to West Point asking whether any disciplinary actions had been taken against the staffers for providing false information and why procedures had not been in place to prevent that kind of error. 

West Point directed Fox News Digital to its previously issued statement. 

"A review of our records indicates Peter Hegseth was offered admission to West Point in 1999 but did not attend. An incorrect statement involving Hegseth’s admission to the U.S. Military Academy was released by an employee on Dec. 10, 2024.  Upon further review of an archived database, employees realized this statement was in error. Hegseth was offered acceptance to West Point as a prospective member of the Class of 2003. The academy takes this situation seriously and apologizes for this administrative error."

In a letter to West Point this week, Republican Congressman Jim Banks wrote, "It is outrageous that West Point officials would so grossly interfere in a political process and make false claims regarding a presidential nominee."

"Even in the unlikely scenario of OPA mistakenly making false claims not once but twice, it is an unforgivable act of incompetence that OPA did not make absolutely sure their information was accurate before sharing it with a reporter."

This week's ProPublica controversy comes after the nonprofit, which has received millions of dollars from liberal foundations, faced strong criticism for its reporting on conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, which critics referred to as "hit pieces."

"Journalistic inquiry into the private dealings of public officials is essential for our democracy. But honest inquiry applies the same standard to all people rather than single out those with whom one disagrees," Gretchen Reiter, senior vice president of communications at Stand Together, told Fox News Digital last year regarding ProPublica's reporting on Thomas.

ProPublica's reporting on Alito prompted the justice to write a Wall Street Journal op-ed where he wrote, "ProPublica has leveled two charges against me: first, that I should have recused in matters in which an entity connected with Paul Singer was a party and, second, that I was obligated to list certain items as gifts on my 2008 Financial Disclose Report. Neither charge is valid."

ProPublica stood by its reporting on Alito but acknowledged there are "lessons for ProPublica in this experience."

EXCLUSIVE: A growing number of prominent veterans are signing onto an open letter endorsing Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth as he battles back allegations that may stymie his confirmation.

The Heritage Foundation began collecting the signatures on Thursday and garnered more than 74 in that short time, a foundation official told Fox News Digital.

"As military veterans and patriotic Americans, we are pleased to see an outstanding veteran nominated to lead the Department of Defense," the letter begins.

"Hegseth is a decorated combat veteran who served as an Infantry Officer in the Army National Guard, deploying overseas to combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, earning two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman Badge."

HEGSETH SAYS HE'LL BE ‘STANDING RIGHT HERE IN THIS FIGHT'

The veterans state that Hegseth has "worked tirelessly" to support U.S. troops and that his experience and drive will lead him in rebuilding the military back to a "fighting force . . . capable of defending the national security interests of the American people."

They cite Hegseth’s long-held stance on "depoliticizing" the military and his rebuttals of "DEI"-type policies and other "toxic ideologies" they claim have been foisted upon troops in recent years.

"Ending wokeness is just the start. The Pentagon is also bloated with bureaucracy and waste. The defense industrial base is failing to deliver," the veterans wrote.

"Cost overruns and delays have become the norm. The Department of Defense needs a Secretary of Defense willing to confront both the entrenched bureaucracy and the defense industry and force them to deliver the ships, planes, and munitions our troops need to confront America’s adversaries."

TRUMP FLOATS DESANTIS AS POTENTIAL DEFENSE SECRETARY REPLACEMENT IF HEGSETH FALTERS

Dan Caldwell is a veteran of the Marine Corps and Camp David security force who, along with his fellow adviser at the Center for Renewing America, three-time-deployed Marine Joseph Wade Miller, signed onto the letter.

They join at least 40 other prominent veterans in supporting Hegseth’s nomination, as the former "Fox & Friends Weekend" co-host faces allegations surrounding alcohol abuse and mistreatment of women.

Eddie Gallagher, of the Pipe Hitters Foundation, also signed the letter. Gallagher launched the veteran defense-focused nonprofit after being found not guilty in a war crimes trial.

James Jay Carafano, Rob Greenway, Wilson Beaver, Steve Bucci and Jeremy Hayes, all decorated military veterans who are advisers to, or fellows at, the Heritage Foundation, signed onto the missive.

The letter also calls out the previous administration's inability to secure the southern border and restore peace in Eurasia. 

"Pete Hegseth shares these priorities and is ready to execute the Commander in Chief’s agenda on day one. As proud American veterans, we stand with him and the President in this historic endeavor," they write.

Kevin Roberts, the president of Heritage, called Hegseth the "right kind of fighter for America" and a person who is ready to "clean up" the Pentagon.

"At a time when bloat and woke initiatives detract from the core warfighting mission of our armed forces, we need a secretary like Pete who has both served in combat and advocated for veterans on Capitol Hill," Roberts said separately from the letter.

Victoria Coates, a former adviser on national security to both Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said Hegseth would be "a literal breath of fresh air in the musty halls of the Pentagon."

On Thursday, Hegseth said he refused to back down from a fight as his nomination remains in limbo amid drinking and sexual misconduct allegations. He has denied any wrongdoing. 

"We've had great conversations, about who I am and what I believe," Hegseth said of his meetings with senators. "And, frankly, the man I am today, because of my faith in my lord and savior Jesus Christ and my wife, Jenny, right here, I'm a different man than I was years ago."

That exchange followed the leak of a critical letter that Hegseth’s mother, Penelope, wrote to him years ago about his relationships with women. However, Penelope Hegseth told Fox News on Wednesday that she had written the email in an impassioned moment and later apologized for it.

Multiple sources reported to Fox News that Trump is considering his former primary opponent, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis – a retired Navy lieutenant commander – for the top Pentagon spot in case Hegseth falters.

Fox News’ Louis Casiano contributed to this report.

An article from NBC News suggesting that Thanksgiving dinner costs are historically low and enable a 10-person gathering to feed itself for under $60 was ripped by conservatives on social media this week.

"You may not know it by looking at sticker prices in grocery aisles, but Thanksgiving dinner is more affordable than it has been in years," NBC News wrote citing data from the American Farm Bureau Federation.

"The costs of this year’s holiday feast – estimated at $58.08 for a 10-person gathering, or $5.81 a head – dropped 5% since last year, the lowest level since 2021."

The article's headline read: "Thanksgiving dinner is historically affordable this year"

BRINE YOUR THANKSGIVING TURKEY IN THIS FOR GOLDEN SKIN: 'DRIPPING WITH JUICE'

Conservatives on social media quickly blasted the reporting and the suggestion that Americans will experience relief from inflation at the Thanksgiving dinner table this year. 

"I just bought a single turkey for $85," Grabien founder Tom Elliot posted on X. 

"It costs $60 for a family of 4 to eat at McDonalds," author John LeFevre posted on X. "But NBC News wants you to believe that Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people is $58 – the most affordable in 40 years."

HISTORY OF THE THANKSGIVING TURKEY PARDON: WHEN THE WHITE HOUSE BEGAN THE LONG-HELD HOLIDAY TRADITION

"No one who buys groceries believes this," conservative radio host and commentator Dana Loesch posted on X. 

"If anyone can pay for everything needed for a 10-person Thanksgiving dinner for $58.08, I want to see a picture of all of your groceries," journalist Jennifer Van Laar posted on X. 

"This is bull----, of course," attorney Harmeet Dhillon posted on X. "Carry on."

"What are they eating?" Breitbart News reporter Elizabeth Weibel posted on X. "Mozzarella sticks? I just got groceries for a Thanksgiving dinner for 16 that cost roughly $240."

The Commerce Department on Wednesday reported that the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index rose 0.2% in October and 2.3% year over year, and inflation ticked up slightly in October as prices remained stubbornly high for consumers,

October food prices were up 0.2% on a monthly basis and 2.1% from a year ago. Food away from home was up 3.8% annually, while food at home was up just 1.1% in comparison. The largest price increase among food items was for eggs, with prices up 30.4% on an annual basis in October even though they declined 6.5% from September.

Fox News Digital's Eric Revell contributed to this report