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 13-7 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.
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.
Q3 1:57 – Vikings 13, Lions 7
The Lions’ defense forces another three-and-out, but the field position gained by the interception is still enough for another Will Reichard try, and he hits from 56 yards out.
The Vikings defense is just going off. Where would this team be if it weren't for Brian Flores' unit?
Jared Goff entered the game Thursday with just five interceptions the entire season. After tossing picks on back-to-back throws in the third quarter, he has his first two-interception game of the season — and the Lions have turned it over four times.
Q3 2:52 – Lions 7, Vikings 7
Jared Goff is handing out gifts for Christmas!
His third giveaway of the game is an interception to Harrison Smith, on a ball Amon-Ra St. Brown hardly had a chance at. YIKES.
Q3 3:03 – Vikings 10, Lions 7
Max Brosmer is sacked for the fifth time today and the third time on third down.
Will Reichard comes on for the 52-yard attempt and drills it. Minnesota is back in the lead.
Q3 5:00 – Lions 7, Vikings 7
Aaron Jones runs up the middle for another first down… and star Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone is shaken up after the play.
Q3 6:30 – Lions 7, Vikings 7
After a Lions defensive holding gets the Vikings to midfield, Max Brosmer finds tight end Josh Oliver on an underneath route to move the chains — Minnesota’s first first down through the air of the game.
Q3 7:53 – Lions 7, Vikings 7
Brian Flores sends safety Theo Jackson on a blitz, and Jackson gets home to set up a third-and-18. Goff is pressured again as he lets one fly on a seam route to Isaac TeSlaa, and Byron Murphy undercuts the route and picks it off!
The third turnover of the day for the Lions!
Q3 9:45 – Lions 7, Vikings 7
Justin Jefferson makes a catch on third down, but well short of the line to gain deep in Vikings territory, and Minnesota punts the ball right back.
Q3 11:05 – Lions 7, Vikings 7
David Montgomery takes a handoff up the middle on third-and-3 from midfield and gets 2. Of course, Dan Campbell goes for it, until the Lions are flagged for a false start. That one was much clearer than their false start in a similar position in the first quarter. Detroit punts.
