With their playoff lives on the line, the Detroit Lions produced an absolute dud, turning the ball over six times, forcing zero turnovers and falling to the Minnesota Vikings 23-10.
That makes it a Merry Christmas for the Green Bay Packers, who clinch a playoff berth with Detroit's loss.
Jared Goff threw two interceptions, lost a fumble and played a role in two other turnovers, both aborted snaps.
With third-string quarterback Max Brosmer under center -- J.J. McCarthy (hairline fracture in hand) was out, and Carson Wentz (shoulder) is out for the year -- and the team out of the playoff race, Minnesota went with a very vanilla attack. But it was a bit of trickery that put the game away: Jordan Addison took a jet sweep 65 yards to put the hosts up 10 with under four minutes to go.
But most importantly, the Vikings' offense didn't defeat itself, something the Lions did over and over again. The Lions gave the Vikings a very generous Christmas gift late in the first quarter when Goff couldn't handle a snap in his own territory. Andrew Van Ginkel jumped on the ball to give the hosts possession at the Lions' 16 yards, and five plays later, Aaron Jones barreled in from 1 yard away.
The Lions coughed up the ball on their next drive, this time Jahmyr Gibbs losing the handle amid a bunch of Vikings defenders. Goff managed to put together a terrific drive just before halftime to tie the game at 7-7 with a touchdown pass to Isaac TeSlaa.
That was essentially the only bright spot on an otherwise dreary performance. Goff threw interceptions on consecutive drives in the third quarter, the second of which was a dreadful pass over the middle intended for Amon-Ra St. Brown that Harrison Smith stepped in front of. Both interceptions resulted in Vikings field goals.
Goff made it three turnovers in three drives when he got sandwiched between Dallas Turner and Van Ginkel early in the fourth quarter and coughed up the ball. Jalen Redmond recovered.
After Addison's touchdown sprint, the Lions committed one final turnover, yet another botched snap -- this one out of the shotgun. Van Ginkel wrestled not only the ball away from the Goff but also any faint playoff hopes away from Detroit.
Brosmer finished with 51 passing yards and 48 yards lost on seven sacks taken. The 3 net passing yards are fewest in a win by any team since 2006. Unlike his first career start -- a 26-0 loss to the Seattle Seahawks -- though, he had zero turnovers. The Vikings pounded out 158 yards on the ground.
Minnesota (8-8) has now won four straight, a defense-fueled late-season surge. Minnesota sacked Goff five times, and ahead of an offseason full of offensive questions, the defense is an encouraging sign. Detroit (8-8) has lost three straight and will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
Jared Goff couldn't handle yet another snap -- this one out of the shotgun -- and Andrew Van Ginkel took advantage.
Absolute disaster for Detroit
What a play! The Vikings' offense -- so vanilla all night with Max Brosmer -- has one trick up its sleeve, and the Lions are in dire straits.
It's a meeting at the quarterback for Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel, and Jalen Redmond recovers.
That's three turnovers for Jared Goff and five for the Lions. An abysmal performance with their season on the line.
This is ugly. Harrison Smith jumped a Jared Goff throw, and Minnesota is set up in Detroit territory again.
This is just a throw Goff cannot make.
Will Reichard nailed a 56-yard field goal to extend Minnesota's lead to 13-7.
The Vikings have 66 yards of offense. They have -3 net yards of passing. And they have a 10-7 lead thanks to a 3-0 advantage on turnovers committed.
On third-and-18, Jared Goff threw up a prayer, and it was answered ... by Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., who now has an interception and a fumble recovery.
What a huge drive for Goff, who converted three third downs and a fourth down.
The Lions' All-Pro right tackle got rolled up on, and Detroit's offensive line mixing and matching continues.
Goff has converted third-and-16, third-and-9 and third-and-15 to move the Lions into the redzone. The third-and-15 conversion was especially impressive. Running to his right, Goff narrowly escaped a diving defender and then delivered a strike to St. Brown.
With the running game ineffective thus far, Goff has been awesome this drive.
Brosmer has taken three sacks, and the Vikings are currently averaging -1.8 net yards per pass attempt (which takes sacks into account) and 1.6 yards per play.
Jahmyr Gibbs got a little loose with the football, and a host of Vikings helped force the Lions' second fumble in as many drives. Byron Murphy made the recovery.
This is pretty close to an ideal situation for the Minnesota offense, which can lean on the run game and make it easy for Max Brosmer.
Jared Goff couldn't handle a snap, Andrew Van Ginkel jumped on the ball, and Aaron Jones plunged in from 1 yard away to give the hosts the lead.
Slow start for the Lions in a must-win game.
The Lions star put Will Fries in the spin cycle and picked up sack number 12.5 on the season, a career high.
Justin Jefferson had just two catches for 4 yards in Max Brosmer's first career start. He already has two catches for 14 yards here on the Vikings' second drive of the game.
Vikings returner Myles Price is slow to get up as Max Brosmer and the Minnesota offense takes the field.
With their backs against the wall on a short week, the Lions listed 11 players as questionable.
The biggest name, Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee), is active. So is David Montgomery (illness). But left tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder) isn't. Overall, though, it's good news for Detroit.
We already knew J.J. McCarthy (hand) was out. Same for Jordan Mason (ankle), Ryan Kelly (concussion) and T.J. Hockenson (shoulder). But tackle Brian O'Neill (heel) is also out after being listed as questionable.
The Vikings had already placed tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) on season-ending IR, so it's going to be tough sledding for Max Brosmer and the Minnesota offense.
