Week Seventeen: Detroit Lions (8-7) @ Minnesota Vikings (7-8)

[MichiganCardinal]

          vs.          

Setting: 12/25/2025 4:30pm on CBS (locally) & Netflix

Site: US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN

Weather: Climate Controlled

Opening Spread: Lions -5.5

All-Time Series Record: Vikings lead, 81-45-2

Last Meeting: 11/02/2025, Vikings won 27-24

 

Minnesota Vikings (7-8)

Head Coach: Kevin O'Connell (4th Season: 41-25)

Projected Starting QB: JJ McCarthy (2nd Season: 5-4) or Max Brosmer (1st Season: 0-1)

Last Week: 16-13 W @ New York Giants (2-13)

Looking Ahead to Week #18: TBD vs. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)

 

Your Detroit Lions (8-7)

Head Coach: Dan Campbell (5th Season: 47-35-1)

Projected Starting QB: Jared Goff (10th Season: 89-59-1)

Last Game: 29-24 L vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6)

Looking Ahead to Week #18: TBD @ Chicago Bears (11-4)

 

Elsewhere in the NFL

Christmas Day: Cowboys @ Commanders (1:00pm), Broncos @ Chiefs (8:15pm)

Saturday: Texans @ Chargers (4:30pm), Ravens @ Packers (8:00pm)

Primetime: Bears @ 49ers (SNF), Rams @ Falcons (MNF)

1:00pm: Cardinals @ Bengals, Steelers @ Browns, Saints @ Titans, Jaguars @ Colts, Buccaneers @ Dolphins, Patriots @ Jets, Seahawks @ Panthers

4:05/4:25pm: Giants @ Raiders, Eagles @ Bills

Edited December 22 by MichiganCardinal

[lordstanley]

The Lions' playoff chances aren't officially dead. I'm under no illusion - I know the chances are extremely low and that even if they were to get in they are a seriously flawed team. But hey, plenty of time to deal with offseason issues in the offseason. Until then, I might as well cheer for them to win on Thursday and Green Bay to lose on Thursday and have it come down to the final weekend. Stranger things have happened, they really have. 

Edited December 22 by lordstanley

[Motown Bombers]

 

[MichiganCardinal]

9 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

 

They may move on this offseason.

[Motown Bombers]

1 minute ago, MichiganCardinal said:

They may move on this offseason.

They really need to move on from Kwesi. His drafts have been awful and he may have run out of smoke and mirrors. 

[number20]

Yay. The big battle for last place

[Sports_Freak]

Merry Christmas to all the Detroit and State of Michigan fans.  Heck, to all sports fans from all over.

I just noticed that today's Lions/Vikings game will also be aired on local TV in the Detroit area. Not just on Netflix. We all get to share in the agony of "what coulda been." Yup...it's another late season of saying..."Wait until next year, We're gonna get 'em." 😒😒

 

[MichiganCardinal]

I just hope both teams have fun.

[MichiganCardinal]

Decker is questionable with an illness. Sounds like the flu is going around the locker room.

[Sports_Freak]

3 hours ago, MichiganCardinal said:

Decker is questionable with an illness. Sounds like the flu is going around the locker room.

Decker out;

 

[MichiganCardinal]

Feels like this will be a blowout but I have no idea who will win.

41-7 one way or the other.

[lordstanley]

Records since the 5-2 Lions left the bye week:

Chicago 7-1

Green Bay 4-4

Minnesota 4-4

Detroit 3-5

 

[TP_Fan]

****ing embarrassing. Start the god damn Game.

[romad1]

There is no way this game should be on today.  If it were Sunday maybe. 

[TP_Fan]

1 minute ago, lordstanley said:

Records since the 5-2 Lions left the bye week:

Chicago 7-1

Green Bay 4-4

Minnesota 4-4

Detroit 3-5

 

Coaching. Lions are the worst coached in the division.  I’m a Dan Campbell supporter. He will learn from this season. But obviously need a new DC and OC next season. Botch job on the hires. 

Edited December 25 by TP_Fan

[TP_Fan]

Right to commercial. 

[TP_Fan]

Defense with a 3 and out.  Actually shocking. 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

OF COURSE he's going for it. Punting is never an option. 

[TP_Fan]

Annnnnnnd punt.  How fitting for this coaching staff.  And the punt goes into the end zone. Completely unprepared again. 

[MichiganCardinal]

Going for it on 4th and 8 would be reckless. That’s (yet another) on the refs there was no false start.

[KnoxP]

Bs penalty.

[lordstanley]

With an unknown QB for Minnesota and the Lions’  center being Kingsley Eguakun and the Lions’ playoff hopes hanging by a thread and the PBP being Noah Eagle and the game being played on a day when traditionally there hasn’t been any, this seems like the least consequential Lions game in 3 years. Practically pre-season vibes. 

[TP_Fan]

Lions do not look ready for this game. Another game, same story.  

[TP_Fan]

They are so bad. 

[TP_Fan]

Refs miss a clear one against the lions. Sack stands.  Let’s go.