Final: Minnesota Vikings 23, Detroit Lions 10
The Lions’ playoff dreams go out with a whimper as Detroit turns the ball over six times in a dreadful performance against Minnesota.
The Vikings only had three net passing yards for the game, but the frequent short fields and an explosive run from Jordan Addison made all the difference for the Lions.
The season will conclude next week in Chicago against the Bears, where the most Detroit can do is try to play spoiler for their Ben Johnson and their NFC North rivals.
Fourth Quarter
1:04 -- Minnesota adds a 42-yard field goal as the end nears for Detroit. Vikings 23, Lions 10
2:54 -- A sixth turnover for good measure. The snap from Kingsley Eguakun gets past Jared Goff and the Vikings recover. Just a nightmare performance in Minneapolis this evening.
3:43 -- And that should do it for the Lions’ playoff hopes. Jordan Addison breaks loose on a 65-yard end around and dives into the end zone. With how the Lions are playing, 10 points looks insurmountable. Vikings 20, Lions 10
4:39 -- Lions nearly get a safety with the Vikings pinned on their own one-yard line, instead they force a punt and start their next drive on their own 45-yard line. Did Montgomery picks up a pair of first downs for Detroit and after two pass deflections by Minnesota, Jake Bates knocks through a 48-yard field goal to cut into their deficit. Time running out for the Lions. Vikings 13, Lions 10
Injury update: Safety Thomas Harper and linebacker Alex Anzalone he each been downgraded to out with concussions. Lions’ defense has held strong, but that’s two more crucial starters no longer ailable.
8:53 -- Minnesota does nothing with the turnover, yet another stand by the Detroit defense. But after getting the ball back, the Lions stall out after picking up one first down. Vikings he the ball back at their own one-yard line after an incredible 70-yard punt from Jack Fox.
Jack Fox 🤯 pic.twitter.com/aBVfKorItp
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 26, 202514:54 -- Five turnovers. Jared Goff is sacked and loses the ball. Minnesota recovers and the Lions are in complete desperation mode on offense, at this point. The defense has kept them around, but Detroit’s offense isn’t putting up much of a fight in this potential playoff elimination game.
Third Quarter
Injury update: Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone is questionable to return, being evaluated for a concussion.
1:57 -- Fortunately, the Lions’ defense shows up and keeps Minnesota out of the end zone. But Will Reichard kicks a 56-yard field goal for the Vikings to go up by six as the fourth quarter approaches. Vikings 13, Lions 7
2:52 -- Jared Goff throws a pick on the Lions’ first play of their next drive. One of the sloppiest games of the season from Detroit. Vikings back in Lions territory to start this drive.
3:03 -- A holding call against Rock Ya-Sin and a couple first downs for Minnesota sets up Will Reichard for the go-ahead 52-yard field goal make. Tyleik Williams followed by Al-Quadin Muhammad and Roy Lopez sack Max Brosmer on consecutive plays to end the drive, but Minnesota still gets out in front. Vikings 10, Lions 7
7:53 -- The Lions defense does its job, again, with a three-and-out for the Minnesota offense. But, that’s turnover No. 3 for the Lions as Jared Goff is picked off by Byron Murphy. That will set up the Vikings at midfield. The mistakes keep piling up for Detroit.
11:05 -- Lions come out pretty flat for the second half. Amon-Ra St. Brown muscles for a first down early on, but a false start on Giovanni Ricci at midfield on fourth-and-1 results in a punt. Minnesota takes over at their own 14.
Injury update: Safety Thomas Harper is being evaluated pursuant to the NFL’s concussion protocol. That’s concerning for an already-depleted Detroit secondary for the second half. Jalen Mills enters at safety for the Lions.
Halftime: Detroit Lions 7, Minnesota Vikings 7
Things were looking very bad for the Lions as their offense failed to score until the closing 65 seconds of the half. A lengthy drive finishing with a touchdown grab by Isaac TeSlaa tied up the matchup.
The Lions’ defense has been steady, despite being put against short fields twice due to a pair of fumbles by the offense. Lions outgaining the Vikings 119-36 with playoff hopes on the line.
Second Quarter
0:00 -- Detroit defense continues punishing as Al-Quadin Muhammad notches a sack for himself and the Vikings punt away in the closing seconds of the half. Minnesota has 36 total yards of offense.
AQM delivers a Christmas sack of his own#DETvsMIN 📺 Netflix pic.twitter.com/UhDqUvzEr0
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 25, 20251:05 -- The Lions get some much-needed points ahead of halftime. Jared Goff converts three times on third down from nine-plus yards from the line to gain, including a 28-yard completion to Isaac TeSlaa. Despite struggling to punch the ball in from short yardage after Penei Sewell’s injury scare, the Lions finish a 19-play scoring drive with a leaping touchdown grab by TeSlaa. Lions 7, Vikings 7
Goff 🎯 TeSlaa to move the chains and pick up 28#DETvsMIN 📺 Netflix pic.twitter.com/I0TEy7UaUF
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 25, 2025Goff extends the play and finds Amon-Ra St. Brown for the first down pic.twitter.com/iIxQORSiTv
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 25, 2025TeSlaa goes UP for the fourth-down touchdown! pic.twitter.com/0sUzbjbW33
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 25, 20251:10 -- Penei Sewell returns to the field for the Lions’ final snap of a 19-play scoring drive. Crisis erted for the time being.
5:17 -- Concerning for the Lions’ offensive line as right tackle Penei Sewell went down on the field after hing his legs folded up during a run play. After being tended to by medical staff, he eventually gets up without assistance, but nursing a slight limp. With starting left tackle Taylor Decker already inactive, missing Sewell would be a killer.
Kayode Awosika takes over at right tackle. He’s primarily played at guard this season.
11:13 -- Vikings commit back-to-back false starts on third down and Aidan Hutchinson helps get the Lions off the field with his second sack of the game on Max Brosmer. He’s feasting on a depleted tackle group and had two sacks in the first half in the past two games.
There's anotha one for Aidan pic.twitter.com/mn5ecc8Mfy
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 25, 2025Lions DL Alim McNeill is questionable to return due to an abdomen injury.
14:15 -- Things going from bad to worse as Jahmyr Gibbs fumbles the ball away at midfield, Eric Wilson and Brian Cashman with the contact. Vikings get the ball again and a short field. Detroit with two turnovers, already.
First Quarter
0:00 -- Big 15-yard gain from Jared Goff to Jameson Williams in the final play of the first quarter. Lions already nearing Minnesota territory and needing a response to the Vikings’ touchdown.
1:35 -- Four rushes from Aaron Jones is enough to get the job done for the Vikings. Jones pushes into the end zone from one yard out and the Lions find themselves at an early deficit. Vikings 7, Lions 0
3:46 -- Big early mistake as Kingsley Eguakun’s snap is early and Jared Goff loses control of the ball. Minnesota gets on top of the fumble and take over deep in Detroit territory. The Vikings only 16 yards from the end zone and a fresh set of downs.
4:35 -- The Lions get to midfield on their first offensive possession, but a false start call on center Kingsley Eguakun on a fourth-down attempt forces Detroit to punt. Minnesota gets moving on offense the second time around, with Max Brosmer picking up a key third down with his legs. But a huge tackle by Daniel Thomas and a sack from Aidan Hutchinson on third down boots the Vikings out of field-goal range and Detroit takes back over on offense.
Hutch with the third-down sack!#DETvsMIN 📺 Netflix pic.twitter.com/YT9fOPvSGH
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 25, 202513:23 -- Three-and-out for the Detroit defense. Strong start with Rock Ya-Sin making a quick run stop and Alex Anzalone notching the third-down sack on Max Brosmer. Lions take over at their own 37 after a good opening drive.
you know Blitzen #DETvsMIN 📺 Netflix pic.twitter.com/vsFbMlP3Ei
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 25, 202515:00 -- The Vikings win the coin toss and elect to receive. Lions defense will start on the field against Max Brosmer and the Minnesota offense.
PregameLions inactives: Detroit announced that interior O-lineman Trystan Colon, starting left tackle Taylor Deck, D-lineen Tyler Lacy and Mekhi Wingo, wide receiver Dominic Lovett, safety Avonte Maddox and O-lineman Michael Niese will all be inactive.
Decker was already questionable due to his shoulder issues, but adding an illness designation hours before kickoff seems to be what will sideline him in this crucial game. Expect Dan Skipper to get more run at left tackle.
Vikings inactives: Minnesota will be without quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Brett Rypien (Emergency 3rd QB), running back Jordan Mason, linebacker Austin Key, tackle Brian O’Neill and tight end T.J. Hockenson.
The Lions are in their all black uniforms to face the Minnesota Vikings.
Christmas forecast: Black ice ⬛ pic.twitter.com/OH6r90aaUq
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 24, 2025--
The Detroit Lions need a win.
After dropping consecutive games for the first time since 2022, the Lions are one loss away from missing out on the playoffs. But, their hopes aren’t gone, just yet.
If the Lions can win out and the Green Bay Packers drop their final two games, Detroit can still sneak into the playoffs.
Margins are tight, but if the Lions show up the next two weeks they can still compete for a Super Bowl. That starts with Thursday’s matchup against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Minnesota is out of playoff consideration, but could get the satisfaction of sweeping the Lions for the first time since 2020 and would knock them to the bottom of the NFC North.
Injuries are plaguing both teams as the Vikings are going to be without starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, leading rusher Jordan Mason and starting center Ryan Kelly, among others.
The Lions won’t he Avonte Maddox in the secondary — who was already stepping up in a depleted unit — and currently he 11 questionable for the game.
Detroit will need to overcome injuries and some poor performances the last few weeks to try and keep playoff dreams alive for at least another few days. But a loss would serve to make for a bitter Christmas Day.
This post will update with inactives, pregame updates, drive summaries, injury updates and more. Follow along throughout the afternoon.
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