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Follow Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings live updates and score in an Christmas NFL game Thursday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium to start Week 17.
This section provides ongoing live updates from the NFL game between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day, detailing key plays and scoring changes throughout the matchup.
The Detroit Lions' first offensive drive of the second half concluded with a punt after a false start penalty. The Minnesota Vikings gained possession at their own 14-yard line following the punt.
The game was tied 7-7 at halftime. The first half ended after a sack by Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad on the Vikings, followed by a sack on Lions quarterback Jared Goff by linebacker Eric Wilson.
Lions right tackle Penei Sewell, who had left the game with an apparent injury approximately five minutes before the end of the second quarter, returned for the final offensive series that resulted in a game-tying touchdown.
The Lions completed a lengthy 19-play, 10-minute drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to rookie receiver Isaac TeSlaa on 4th down, tying the game 7-7 with one minute remaining in the second quarter. The drive included crucial 3rd-and-long conversions by Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown and TeSlaa.
Lions right tackle Penei Sewell suffered an apparent injury midway through the second quarter and was seen walking off the field slowly after being attended to by trainers. Updates on his condition were pending.
Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson recorded his second sack of the game, bringing his season total to 13.5, which led to a Vikings punt from their own territory. Detroit's subsequent drive began at their 20-yard line.
Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs fumbled the ball after a handoff on 2nd-and-6 from the Minnesota 49-yard line. The Vikings recovered the ball at Detroit's 47-yard line.
At the end of the first quarter, the Vikings led 7-0. The Lions were in the midst of a drive, with quarterback Jared Goff connecting with Jameson Williams for a 15-yard gain to the Detroit 47-yard line, giving them a 1st-and-10 to start the second quarter.
The Minnesota Vikings took an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter (1:35 left) after running back Aaron Jones scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, capping a short drive that began from the Lions' 16-yard line.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff fumbled the snap on a crucial 3rd-and-1 play from their own 18-yard line, which was challenged by Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell. The fumble was recovered by Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, giving Minnesota possession at the Lions' 16-yard line.
Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson sacked Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer for a 15-yard loss on 3rd-and-9, ending Minnesota's initial drive into Detroit territory. The Lions regained possession at their own 9-yard line after the punt.
The Lions' first drive of the game ended in a punt after a sack on quarterback Jared Goff and a false start penalty on 4th-and-3, forcing them to give up possession.
The Lions' defense started strong, forcing a three-and-out on the Vikings' opening drive with an Alex Anzalone sack. Detroit began its first possession from its own 37-yard line after the punt.
Minnesota won the coin toss before the game and opted to receive the kickoff, meaning the Lions would kick off to start the game.
For the Christmas Day game, the Detroit Lions wore their black uniforms paired with their Honolulu blue helmets. The Minnesota Vikings sported their all-white 'Winter Warrior' jerseys and pants.
Pregame observations indicated that Kingsley Eguakun would be starting at center for the Lions, filling in for the injured Graham Glasgow, who was absent. Eguakun had previously started at center against the Steelers.
The Lions were favored to win against the Vikings on Christmas, with a spread of 7.5 points. The over/under for the game was set at 43 points, and the moneyline odds were Lions (-375) and Vikings (+300), according to BetMGM.
Offensive lineman Taylor Decker was listed as inactive for the Lions due to a flu-like illness. Other inactives included OL Trystan Colon, DL Tyler Lacy, WR Dominic Lovett, S Avonte Maddox, OL Michael Niese, and DL Mehki Wingo. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Al-Quadin Muhammad, initially questionable, were active.
The Detroit Lions chose to wear their black uniforms for the Christmas game against the Minnesota Vikings, marking the first time they donned this attire on the road since its reveal in the 2024 season. The team held a 4-1 record in black jerseys and pants, including two wins earlier that season.
Taylor Decker, the Lions' starting left tackle, was added to the injury report with an illness, making him questionable for the game. Other players, including David Montgomery and Khalil Dorsey, were also dealing with illnesses but expected to play, while Avonte Maddox was out with a back injury.
The game between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day was scheduled for Thursday, December 25, at 4:30 p.m. ET, taking place at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
The Christmas Day NFL game between the Lions and Vikings was only available on local TV channels (WWJ-TV, CBS 62 in Detroit, and Minneapolis local channels) and was not broadcast nationally on traditional television.
Nationally, the game was exclusively streamed on Netflix. For viewers in the local Detroit and Minneapolis television markets, the game was also available for streaming on Fubo, which offers CBS and a free trial.
Netflix assembled a special broadcast team for the Christmas Day game, featuring Noah Eagle on play-by-play, former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Drew Brees as the analyst, and sideline reporting from AJ Ross and Dianna Russini. Studio coverage was provided by Scott Hanson and Kyle Long, with Gene Steratore offering rules analysis.
Fans could listen to the Lions vs. Vikings game on WXYT-FM 97.1 in Detroit, part of the Lions radio network, or nationally via Westwood One radio affiliates.
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press predicted a 31-17 victory for the Lions against the Vikings, emphasizing that the Lions' playoff hopes, though slim, should remain alive against a Minnesota team starting a third-string quarterback who had previously thrown four interceptions in a game.
Historically, the Lions have a challenging record against the Vikings, standing at an abysmal 45-81-2 in 128 games. Their .359 win percentage is their third-lowest against any NFC team, with their first encounter dating back to a 1961 victory for Detroit.
Entering the final two weeks of the season, the Detroit Lions had approximately a 6% chance of making the playoffs, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. There was only one specific scenario through which they could secure a playoff berth.
The 2025 NFL Christmas Day schedule featured a tripleheader: Cowboys at Commanders at 1 p.m. (Netflix), Lions at Vikings at 4:30 p.m. (Netflix), and Broncos at Chiefs at 8:15 p.m. (Prime Video).
This section outlines the complete Detroit Lions 2025 season schedule, including all opponents, game dates, and outcomes from Week 1 through Week 16 (4 wins, 7 losses), culminating in their Christmas Day game against the Minnesota Vikings and a final Week 18 matchup against the Chicago Bears.