The Detroit Lions (8-7) face the Minnesota Vikings (7-8) in a Week 17 NFC North showdown on Christmas Day, with both teams fighting for pride in a season that saw the Lions battle injuries but stay competitive, while the Vikings struggled with consistency despite flashes of potential. Detroit looks to sweep the series after a November win, potentially boosting morale for 2026, while Minnesota aims to play spoiler at home in what could be a gritty, defensive affair. Below is a fully detailed preview covering all aspects.
Venue Location
U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota. This domed indoor venue, home to the Minnesota Vikings, seats approximately 66,655 fans and features a turf surface, ensuring no weather impacts on gameplay.
Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. CT / 1:30 p.m. PT).
Broadcast: NETFLIX: Noah Eagle, Drew Brees, AJ Ross (field reporter), Diana Russini (field reporter)
Westwood One: Jason Benetti, Ryan Harris
Local radio: KFAN 100.3 FM (Vikings) and WJR 760 AM (Lions).
Injury Report
Both teams are managing key absences heading into this holiday tilt, with the Vikings hit harder at quarterback, potentially forcing a backup into action against Detroit’s opportunistic defense.
Detroit Lions: Running back David Montgomery (illness) is DNP and questionable after missing Tuesday’s practice. Tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder), defensive back Avonte Maddox (back), and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) are DNP but trending positive—St. Brown is expected to play despite the knee issue. Defensive lineman Alim McNeill (abdomen), edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad (knee), and defensive back Amik Robertson (hand) are limited. Offensive lineman Trystan Colon (wrist) is limited but probable. No major opt-outs, but monitor Montgomery’s status for the run game.
Minnesota Vikings: Quarterback J.J. McCarthy is out with a hairline fracture in his hand, forcing Max Brosmer to start in his place. Running back Aaron Jones (undisclosed) and tackle Brian O’Neill (limited) are fighting to play but remain questionable. Center Ryan Kelly (undisclosed) and running back Jordan Mason (undisclosed) are sidelined, further thinning the offense. Linebacker Eric Wilson (thumb) and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (questionable) are limited. The QB switch could limit Minnesota’s explosiveness.
Player Matchups
This NFC North finale could be defined by Detroit’s passing attack exploiting Minnesota’s secondary, while the Vikings’ run game tests the Lions’ front amid injuries.
DET QB Jared Goff vs. MIN S Harrison Smith: Goff ranks high in passing yards (top-5 NFL); Smith’s veteran instincts (interception leader for Vikings) must disrupt rhythm to limit Amon-Ra St. Brown.
MIN QB Max Brosmer vs. DET LB Alex Anzalone: Brosmer makes his debut start; Anzalone’s tackling prowess (team-high) could contain scrambles and short passes.
DET RB David Montgomery vs. MIN LB Blake Cashman: Montgomery’s power run (if active) vs. Cashman’s gap-filling—key if Montgomery clears illness.
MIN RB Aaron Jones vs. DET DL Alim McNeill: Jones’ explosiveness (if playing) tests McNeill’s interior presence, especially with McNeill limited (abdomen).
DET WR Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. MIN CB Byron Murphy Jr.: St. Brown’s slot dominance (trending to play) vs. Murphy’s coverage—could produce chunk plays if St. Brown beats the knee issue.
These matchups favor Detroit’s experience, but Brosmer’s inexperience and injuries could tilt the scales.
Recent Team Forms
Detroit Lions (last 5 games): L-L-W-L-W. They lost two straight early but rebounded with wins over lesser foes, including a recent victory to reach 8-7. Form shows offensive consistency (averaging 28 PPG in wins) but defensive lapses in losses (allowing 30+ PPG).
Minnesota Vikings (last 5 games): L-W-L-L-W. The Vikings have alternated results, with wins over mid-tier teams but losses to division leaders. Recent form highlights defensive grit (holding foes under 20 in wins) but offensive inconsistencies, especially with McCarthy out.
Series History
The Vikings lead the all-time series 81-45-2 since 1961, including a strong 44-18-1 home record. However, the Lions have turned the tide recently, going 9-10 in the last 10 years but winning 5 of the last 8 meetings. Detroit’s most recent win was a 27-24 thriller on November 2, 2025. Games average moderate scoring, with Vikings’ largest margin a 41-point blowout in 1969.
Betting Trends
Lions: 7-8 ATS overall, 3-4 ATS on the road, 8-2 ATS in last 10 vs. Vikings (5 straight covers). Overs in 10 of 15 games this season (66.7%). Vikings: 7-8 ATS overall, 2-4 ATS at home, 1-4 ATS as home underdogs. Unders in 4 of last 6 games. Lions 9-10 SU in last 10 years vs. Vikings but 5-3 SU in last 8; overs in 5 of last 5 Lions road games vs. Vikings. Vikings 7-8 ATS against NFC North foes.
LIONS NOTES:
• QB JARED GOFF passed for 364 yards & 3 TDs for 101.2 rating in Week 16, his 10th game with 100+ rating, 2nd-most in NFL this season. Ranks 2nd with 32 TD passes & 3rd with 4,036 pass yards this season. Has TD pass in 21 consecutive games, longest active streak in NFL. Aims for 4th in row with 300+ pass yards. Aims for 9th in row vs. Min. with TD pass. • RB JAHMYR GIBBS had 66 rec. yards & TD in Week 16 & has 48 career TDs, most by a player under the age of 24 all-time & most TDs by a player in 1st 3 seasons in NFL history. Has 160+ scrimmage yards in 2 of his past 3 vs. Min. • RB DAVID MONTGOMERY has rush TD in 3 of his past 4 vs. Min. • WR AMON-RA ST. BROWN has 90+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3. Has 98 receptions this season & is 1st player in NFL history with 90+ catches in each of his 1st 5 career seasons. Ranks 2nd with 11 TD catches & 5th with 1,194 rec. yards. Aims for 6th in row vs. Min. with 75+ rec. yards. • WR JAMESON WILLIAMS led team with 70 rec. yards in Week 16 & aims for 5th in row with 70+ rec. yards. Aims for 5th in row on road with TD catch. • WR KALIF RAYMOND had 1st TD reception this season in Week 16. • WR ISAAC TESLAA had 5th TD catch this season in Week 16. • LB ALEX ANZALONE had 8 tackles & PD in Week 16. Aims for 4th in row with PD. Had 7 tackles in Week 9 meeting. • LB JACK CAMPBELL led team with 14 tackles & had 2 PD & FR in Week 16. Has 10+ tackles in 5 of his past 6. Ranks tied-5th with 3 FF this season. Has sack in 3 of his past 4 vs. Min. • DE AIDAN HUTCHINSON had 2 sacks in Week 16. Ranks tied-7th with 11.5 sacks & tied-2nd with 4 FFs this season. Aims for 3rd in row with sack vs. Min. • CB D.J. REED had 8 tackles in Week 16 & aims for 4th in row with 5+ tackles. • CB AMIK ROBERTSON has PD in 5 of his past 6 games. • S THOMAS HARPER had 7 tackles, TFL, PD & 1st career FF in Week 16.
VIKINGS NOTES:
• QB MAX BROSMER has 220 pass yards this season. Expected to make 2nd career start (Week 13). • RB AARON JONES had 85 rush yards in Week 16 & has 50+ scrimmage yards in 7 of his past 8. Ranks 4th with 7,573 rush yards since 2017. Aims for 4th in row vs. Det. with 75+ scrimmage yards. • WR JUSTIN JEFFERSON led team with 85 rec. yards in Week 16. Ranks 1st in NFL with 8,349 rec. yards since 2020, 2nd-most rec. yards in 1st 6 career seasons all-time (HOFer Randy Moss – 8,375 rec. yards). Had TD catch in Week 9 meeting. • WR JORDAN ADDISON has 60+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3. • TE T.J. HOCKENSON had rec. TD in Week 9 meeting. Ranks 4th among TEs since 2019 with 4,440 rec. yards. • LB BLAKE CASHMAN led team with season-high 16 tackles in Week 16. Aims for 4th in row with 10+ tackles. Has 10+ tackles in 8 games this season, tied2nd most in NFL in 2025. Had 14 tackles, TFL & FF in Week 9 meeting. • LB ERIC WILSON had sack in Week 16 & has sack in 3 of his past 4. Had 2 sacks & 3 TFL in Week 9 meeting. • LB ANDREW VAN GINKEL had sack & PD in Week 16 & has 0.5+ sack in 3 of his past 4 games. Had TFL in Week 9 meeting. • DL JALEN REDMOND had sack & PD in Week 16 & has sack in 2 of his past 3 games. Had sack in Week 9 meeting. • DL JONATHAN ALLEN had 8 tackles, sack & 2 TFL in Week 16. • DL LEVI DRAKE RODRIGUEZ had sack in Week 16 & had sack in Week 9 meeting. • CB BYRON MURPHY had 1st INT this season in Week 16. Aims for 3rd in row with PD. Had 8 tackles in Week 9 meeting. • S HARRISON SMITH has PD in 3 of his past 4 games
Game Odds
Detroit Lions – 7.5
Minnesota Vikings 43.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Wednesday, December 24, 2025
