NFL
NFL Week 17
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The Detroit Lions are facing the Minnesota Vikings in the second of three NFL games on Christmas Day.
The Vikings lead 23-10 in the fourth quarter. Follow for play-by-play updates and analysis on today's game.
Share your thoughts with us at live@theathletic.com and check out our live coverage schedule here.
Final – Vikings 23, Lions 10
If you love defense, turnovers and complimentary football, you just got quite a Christmas gift.
A masterpiece from Minnesota’s defense to upset the division rival Lions behind six — yes, six — turnovers!
Q4 0:38 – Vikings 20, Lions 10
As if today couldn’t get any worse for the Lions… Amon-Ra St. Brown was down for an extended period with an apparent leg injury, but did eventually walk off under his own power.
Q4 1:04 – Vikings 23, Lions 10
Will Reichard comes on for the third time today and nails his shortest field-goal attempt, a 42-yarder. It’s all cosmetic at this point — the Vikings are going to knock the Lions out of the playoffs.
Q4 2:00 – Vikings 20, Lions 10
Max Brosmer hits Justin Jefferson on third down, and the superstar wideout makes a fantastic juggling catch! One play later, we’re at the two-minute warning, and Detroit only has one timeout remaining.
The Lions had turned the ball over eight times this season before this game. They have six turnovers vs. the Vikings and are less than 3 minutes from officially being eliminated from playoff contention.
Q4 3:05 – Vikings 20, Lions 10
Did Jared Goff just fumble the ball? Is that a SIXTH Lions turnover?
YES! Goff has to take a high snap and he never fully recovers — instead Andrew Van Ginkel comes up with it!
Six Detroit turnovers! Unreal.
Q4 3:11 – Vikings 20, Lions 10
The Lions basically have to run a two-minute drill here, and are off to a good start… Jared Goff hits Jameson Williams for a 22-yard gain across midfield!
Q4 3:43 – Vikings 20, Lions 10
THE PERFECT PLAY CALL FROM KEVIN O’CONNELL.
Jordan Addison takes a jet sweep 65 yards for pay dirt! And the Vikings have their biggest lead of the game!
Detroit is putting it on its defense to get the ball back and give Jared Goff and company a chance to tie or win this game. In the second half, the Vikings' drives have totaled 7, 28, 4, minus-10 and 5 yards. The Vikings have the ball with 4:39 left. Both teams have all three timeouts remaining.
Q4 4:40 – Vikings 13, Lions 10
Minnesota’s defense forces an incompletion on third-and-8, and Dan Campbell doesn’t press his luck this time. Jake Bates lines up a 48-yard field goal try and sends it through.
Q4 5:38 – Vikings 13, Lions 7
David Montgomery moves the chains with an 8-yard run, and making matters worse for the Vikings, safety Theo Jackson is injured on the play.
Lions at the Minnesota 40.
Q4 7:00 – Vikings 13, Lions 7
Good start for the Lions offense, as David Montgomery takes a screen pass 14 yards.
Q4 7:12 – Vikings 13, Lions 7
That was almost disastrous for the Vikings.
Max Brosmer is pressured in the end zone and barely gets the pass off in time for an incomplete pass — and avoids intentional grounding, and thus a safety. The Vikings have to punt, and the Lions will take over near midfield. But it could have been so much worse for Minnesota.
Q4 9:27 – Vikings 13, Lions 7
The Vikings defense bows up again and stuffs the run — Jahmyr Gibbs only has 41 yards on 17 carries tonight. A third-down pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown isn’t enough to move the chains.
The good news for Detroit is that the ensuing punt is a coffin-corner clinic that now flips the field on Minnesota and the struggling Max Brosmer.
Q4 11:27 – Vikings 13, Lions 7
Jared Goff takes it himself on third-and-1 and moves the chains on a QB sneak. Somehow, Detroit can still take the lead with a touchdown…
Q4 13:10 – Vikings 13, Lions 7
A holding penalty and the Lions’ seventh sack of the game on Max Brosmer back the Vikings to the other side of midfield, and a third-and-24. An Aaron Jones run up the middle doesn’t come close to field-goal range. The Vikings send out the punt team amid boos from their fans.
Q4 14:54 – Vikings 13, Lions 7
THE VIKINGS DID IT AGAIN.
ANDREW VAN GINKEL STRIPS THE BALL FROM JARED GOFF. MINNESOTA RECOVERS.
MY OH MY.
Q4 15:00 – Vikings 13, Lions 7
So far, the second half of this game is shaping up to be a lot like the first — the Lions pick up a key third-down conversion to end the quarter after two backbreaking turnovers to put themselves in a deficit.
The Vikings' offense continues to be a disaster. The team has minus-3 net yards passing. Minnesota has 70 net yards in total. If it weren't for Minnesota's defense and kicker Will Reichard — who has been exceptional all season and deserved Pro Bowl candidacy — the Vikings would not be as close as they are to a .500 record.
