Until Max Brosmer hit Justin Jefferson for 10 yards on his final completion of Christmas Day, the Vikings had negative net passing yards in their home game with the Lions.
But their defense turned in such a masterpiece, they were able to subsist with almost no production from their offense.
The Vikings forced six turnovers in a 23-10 win over the Lions, finishing their first season sweep against Detroit since 2020 and winning with fewer net passing yards (3) than any team in Vikings history. Sixteen of their 23 points, including their first 13 of the game, came off turnovers.
Andrew Van Ginkel recovered two fumbles and posted 1½ sacks, while Harrison Smith picked off Jared Goff once and recorded his first sack of the season. The Vikings won despite Brosmer throwing for just 51 yards, completing nine of his 16 passes while being sacked seven times.
Why it happened
The Vikings defense produced six takeaways against a Lions offense that had turned the ball over just eight times all season before this game and entered the Christmas contest with three straight 300-yard passing games from Goff. But Brian Flores regained the advantage in his long history against Goff, blitzing the Lions quarterback in a fashion that put the Vikings in position to cash in on rushed throws, while they recovered three fumbles.
What it means
After starting the year 4-8, the Vikings won for the fourth straight game. They’re 8-8 with one game to go, and it’s impossible not to wonder what the season could have become if they’d put together a solid offensive effort to match what their defense has done in recent weeks. As it is, they’ll finish the year at home with a chance to salvage a winning record against the Packers, who clinched a playoff spot with the Lions’ loss.
Play of the game
With the Vikings facing a second-and-10 from their own 35 with 3:52 left, Brosmer handed off to Jordan Addison on a jet sweep, and Addison reached 21.1 mph as he raced away from the Lions defense. The 65-yard touchdown put the Vikings up 20-10 with 3:43 left.
Turning point
The game was tied 7-7 in the third quarter when the Lions turned the ball over three times in a span of eight plays. The Vikings turned those turnovers into six points to go ahead 13-7.
