Detroit entered a must-win Week 17 game against NFC North foe Minnesota with a league-low eight turnovers all season.
They nearly equaled that total in four quarters.
The Vikings’ defense harassed Lions quarterback Jared Goff all game, forcing six turnovers to earn a 23-10 win over the Lions on Christmas.
Neither offense managed much in their second matchup of the season. The first four drives of the game – two by each team – featured three punts and a fumble.
That fumble gave the Vikings their first points of the game on a one-yard touchdown run by Aaron Jones Sr.
Jones was the lone bright spot in a tough day for the Vikings’ offense. He had a game-high 18 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown and added three catches for 10 receiving yards.
As a team, Minnesota’s offense managed just three net passing yards. Rookie undrafted free agent Max Brosme completed 9 of 16 passes for 51 yards but was sacked seven times for 48 yards.
Goff was hit often as well, with five sacks for a loss of 34 yards. The Lions’ lone touchdown drive in the second quarter came by relying heavily on the running game. A 19-play, 80-yard drive that took 10 minutes off the clock finished off with a four-yard pass from Goff to Isaac TeSlaa to make the game 7-7 at halftime.
The Lions’ first four drives of the second half ended in a punt, two interceptions, and a fumble. Those two interceptions led to two Will Reichard field goals.
Detroit knocked through a Jake Bates field goal to make it 13-10 with 4:39 to go in the fourth quarter but the Vikings scored in just two plays on their ensuing drive to take a two-score lead. Another Goff fumble on the ensuing Lions’ drive led to a Vikings field goal that sealed the outcome.
Detroit, at 8-8, is now eliminated from the playoffs after winning the NFC North in the last two years. They’ll end their season on the road against the Chicago Bears (11-4). Minnesota sits 8-8 as well and will wrap up the regular season at home against the Green Bay Packers (9-5-1).
USA TODAY Sports provided live updates, highlights and more for the NFC North matchup on Christmas day below.
Vikings vs. Lions takeaways from Christmas game
What if? In Minnesota: The Vikings’ veteran defense slowed down one of the top offenses in the league on a big stage. Their offense did just enough behind Brosmer to keep them ahead. This kind of performance has to have Vikings fans wondering what might’ve been with a better quarterback performance all year.
Down, but not out in Detroit: The Lions’ attrition on defense wasn’t apparent in today’s game. It was the high-powered offense that let the team down. Detroit will miss out on the playoffs, but it has a lot going right for it as the regular season wraps up.
Playoff spoilers in Week 18: Both of these teams are 8-8 and out of contention after playing for the division title and the No. 1 seed in Week 18 a year ago. Their foes in the finale, Green Bay (for Minnesota) and Chicago (for Detroit), are taking their place atop the NFC North. It won’t make up for missing the postseason but handing their division rivals a loss in the finale sure could improve morale.
Are the Detroit Lions eliminated from playoff contention?
Detroit was already on the brink of elimination after losing to the Rams and Steelers in back-to-back weeks. Now, after their third straight loss to the Vikings, the Lions are eliminated from playoff contention in 2025.
Lions vs. Vikings final score: Minnesota 23, Detroit 10
Lions vs. Vikings score update: Minnesota adds another field goal
Detroit’s season is all but done. Goff’s third fumble and fifth turnover gave the Vikings easy scoring territory again. Will Reichard made his third field goal of the night -this time from 42 yards – to put the Vikings up 13 with 1:04 remaining.
Lions vs. Vikings score update: Jordan Addison house call ices the game
Minnesota has been unable to get much going through the air today, but they just got the biggest play of the day on the ground from Addison, who took a handoff for 65 yards to the house.
The Vikings are up two scores and are three and a half minutes away from playing spoiler against their NFC North rivals.
Vikings 20, Lions 10
Lions vs. Vikings score update: Detroit cuts into lead
Detroit capitalized on its best starting field position on the day, but Minnesota’s defense kept it out of the end zone again, forcing a field goal try. Jake Bates made a 48-yard field goal to cut the lead to three.
There’s 4:39 left in the fourth quarter. If the score holds Detroit will be eliminated from playoff contention.
Vikings 13, Lions 10
Who is Max Bosmer Minnesota Vikings QB?
Bosmer spent most of his collegiate career at New Hampshire before transferring to Minnesota for the 2024 season. He threw for 2,828 yards and 18 touchdowns with six interceptions. The 24-year-old quarterback signed as an undrafted free agent with the Vikings in 2025.
Lions vs. Vikings score update: Minnesota capitalizes on another Jared Goff interception
The Lions quarterback tossed his second interception of the game, and this time on the first play following the Vikings’ field goal. In the Lions’ territory, veteran Harrison Smith jumped in front of a pass intended for Amon-Ra St. Brown and intercepted Goff. It’s Smith’s 39th career interception and the Vikings were in immediate field goal range.
Reichard marched onto the field after another three-and-out and knocked through a 56-yard field goal to extend Minnesota’s lead to six with 1:57 left in the third quarter.
Vikings 13, Lions 7
Lions vs. Vikings score update: Minnesota goes ahead with 52- yard field goal
Minnesota’s points have all come off turnovers today. This time, it was the Vikings who intercepted Jared Goff on Detroit’s second possession after halftime. Byron Murphy picked off Goff, and Minnesota was set up with good field position.
Brosmer led the Vikings into field goal range, where Will Reichard kicked a 51-yard field goal to put the Vikings ahead again, 10-3.
Lainey Wilson, Andrea Bocelli and more join Snoop Dogg for Vikings-Lions halftime show
The legendary rapper headlined Snoop’s Holiday Halftime Party during the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings matchup on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, streaming live on Netflix. He was joined by Lainey Wilson, a Grammy Award–winning country superstar and reigning CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year.
EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami of HUNTR/X – the voices behind Netflix’s KPOP Demon Hunters. Vocalists Maestro Andrea Bocelli and Matteo Bocelli closed the holiday party with “White Christmas.”
How long is halftime in the NFL?
Typically, halftime lasts 12 minutes in the NFL. However, that can be extended if there is a halftime show.
Lions at Vikings score at halftime: Minnesota 7, Detroit 7
It’s been quite a Christmas slog in Minnesota. Detroit has just 119 total yards of offense, and Minnesota has struggled with Max Brosmer with an abysmal 36 total yards in the first half. The Lions needed multiple fourth-down conversions to punch back after the Vikings scored early. The Vikings’ defense has forced two fumbles, helping keep Detroit’s offense off the scoreboard. Detroit’s playoff hopes are hanging in the balance with the game tied 7-7 at halftime.
Vikings vs. Lions score update: Isaac TeSlaa hauls in impressive TD on fourth down
Detroit answered with an impressive 19-play, 80-yard drive that took over 10 minutes off the game clock. The Lions converted a crucial 4th down on a one-yard run by Montgomery on the Vikings’ three-yard line prior to converting on another fourth down, where Jared Goff connected with his rookie receiver in the back of the end zone, who made an impressive leaping grab.
The game is knotted up at seven, with 1:05 left in the first half.
Vikings 7, Lions 7
Vikings vs. Lions score update: Aaron Jones punches in TD to open Christmas game scoring
Minnesota gets on the board first after Aaron Jones punches in a one-yard touchdown. The teams traded punts on the first three possessions, and an untimely Jared Goff fumbled snap on third and short was recovered by Andrew Van Ginkel to give Minnesota a quick red zone opportunity.
The Vikings score first on the legs of Jones on five plays for 16 yards and take a 7-0 lead with 1:35 remaining in the first quarter.
What does ‘skol’ mean for the Minnesota Vikings?
‘Skol’ is a Viking war chant and comes from the Swedish, Danish and Norwegian word ‘Skål.’ A Skål was a bowl that was often filled with beer and shared among friends so the word became a way of saying ‘Cheers!’
Who is the Lions head coach?
The Lions’ head coach is Dan Campbell, a former NFL tight end. Campbell was hired by the Lions ahead of the 2021 season and has guided them to a 47-35-1 record.
He was also the Miami Dolphins’ interim head coach in 2017, succeeding Joe Philbin after he was fired.
How to watch Lions game today vs. Vikings
Matchup: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
How to watch: Netflix
Netflix is broadcasting the Lions-Vikings game on Christmas to a national audience. There is no national broadcast of the game available on cable TV.
Fans living in the local markets (Detroit or Minneapolis) can watch the game on their local CBS affiliate.
Detroit Lions inactives vs. Vikings
LT Taylor Decker
iOL Trystan Colon
DL Tyler Lacy
WR Dominic Lovett
DB Avonte Maddox
iOL Michael Niese
DL Mekhi Wingo
Minnesota Vikings inactives vs. Lions
QB J.J. McCarthy
QB Brett Rypien (Emergency 3rd QB)
RB Jordan Mason
LB Austin Keys
T Brian O’Neill
TE T.J. Hockenson
Is Amon-Ra St. Brown playing today?
Amon-Ra St. Brown is dealing with a knee injury that has left him ‘questionable’ for the Lions’ short-week tilt with the Minnesota Vikings. He is expected to play today after not being listed among Detroit’s inactives.
What TV channel is the Vikings vs. Lions game on?
Only fans living in the Vikings and Lions markets will be able to watch the Christmas game on cable television.
Here’s where those fans can tune in on Dec. 25:
TV channel:
Detroit: WWJ-TV (CBS 62 in Detroit)
Minneapolis/St. Paul: WCCO-CBS
The game can be streamed on Netflix for national viewers.
What time is the Lions-Vikings game on?
Start time: 4:30 p.m. ET
The Vikings and Lions will kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET on Christmas, Dec. 25.
Vikings vs. Lions stream
Live stream: Netflix
The Lions at Vikings matchup is the last of two Christmas games on Netflix today. A subscription is required to watch the games.
Vikings vs. Lions picks, predictions
Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports NFL experts feel the Lions and Vikings matchup is going to tilt:
Jarrett Bell: Lions 24, Vikings 13
Nick Brinkerhoff: Lions 23, Vikings 20
Chris Bumbaca: Lions 28, Vikings 24
Nate Davis: Lions 30, Vikings 20
Tyler Dragon: Lions 27, Vikings 17
Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: Lions 24, Vikings 21
Vikings vs. Lions odds, moneyline, O/U
National Football League odds courtesy of BetMGM. Odds updated Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.
Spread favorite: Lions (-7.5)
Moneyline: Lions (-375), Vikings (+300)
Total: 43.5 points
NFL games today on TV
There are three NFL games on Christmas, though none are available on national TV with a cable subscription or an antenna.
Here’s which games kick off on Dec. 25, when they start and how to watch each holiday matchup:
Commanders vs. Cowboys:
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
Streaming: Netflix (national)
TV channel: N/A (national) | KTVT – CBS 11 (Dallas) | WUSA – CBS 9 (Washington)
Vikings vs. Lions
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
Streaming: Netflix (national)
TV channel: N/A (national) | WWJ-TV – CBS 62 (Detroit) | WCCO – CBS 4 (Twin Cities)
Chiefs vs. Broncos
Kickoff: 8:20 p.m. ET
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video (national)
TV channel: N/A (national) | KMGH – ABC 7 (Denver) | KSHB – NBC 41 (Kansas City)
Can the Vikings make the playoffs?
Minnesota is already eliminated from playoff contention. They were mathematically eliminated on Sunday in Week 15.