Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings
U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
December 25, 2025 – 9:30 p.m. GMT
Max Brosmer threw four interceptions on his first career start against the Seahawks in week 13
The Vikings close out the calendar year at home to the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day, needing a victory to give themselves a chance at a winning record on the season. The Vikings are riding high after coming off their third straight win, their longest winning streak of the season, but the Lions are desperate to avoid being eliminated from playoff contention.
However, the Vikings will have to do it without QB J. J. McCarthy, who suffered a hairline fracture in his throwing hand against the Giants. Max Brosmer will make his second career start in McCarthy’s place, but he’ll be hoping for a better performance than in his first against the Seahawks. He threw four interceptions that day, the first rookie to do so in their first career start since Brandon Weeden for the Browns in 2012.
To see how Brosmer gets on against the defending NFC North champions, as well as how you can check out the halftime entertainment from Snoop Dogg, read on…
How to watch Lions vs. Vikings
- Lions vs. Vikings date: Thursday, December 25th
- Lions vs. Vikings kickoff time: 9:30 p.m. GMT
- Lions vs. Vikings UK channel: Netflix (stream) / NFL Game Pass on DAZN (stream)
This Christmas Day, the Vikings host the second of three games, the first two of which will be shown live and in full on Netflix. The coverage on Netflix will begin at 9 p.m. GMT, hosted by Vikings fan Jamie Erdahl, who will be joined by analysts Manti Te’o and Brandon Marshall, and ex-WWE wrestler Seth Rollins. Because this is a Thursday game, it won’t be blacked out on NFL Game Pass on DAZN.
Halftime entertainment will be provided by Snoop Dogg, with Snoop’s Holiday Halftime Party coming live from U.S. Bank Stadium.
What uniforms are the Vikings wearing against the Lions?
As the home team, the Vikings have first choice of uniforms for this game and have opted to wear their Winter Warrior alternate uniforms of white jerseys and white pants. The Lions therefore elected to wear their alternate uniforms of black jerseys and black pants.
Keys to the game
Aaron Jones is expected to be the Vikings’ primary running back against the Lions
For the third straight week, the Vikings emphasised the run game against the Giants and it was a strategy that bore fruit, even after Jordan Mason left the game with an ankle injury. Aaron Jones is expected to bear most of the load if Mason isn’t able to suit up, but Ty Chandler’s return from injured reserve has come at a good time for him to step in as the RB2 in rotation with Jones.
Emphasising the run game should take some of the pressure off Max Brosmer, who’s starting in place of injured QB J. J. McCarthy. Brosmer’s first pro start saw him throw four picks, the first rookie to do so on their first start since Browns QB Brandon Weeden in 2012. If the Vikings can get the run game going, they’ll open up the receiving options for Brosmer and hopefully help Justin Jefferson to the last 83 yards he needs for another 1,000-yard season.
On defense, the Vikings continued their ability to only stop the run or the pass against the Giants. While they saw the Giants only complete seven passes for a net total of 13 yards, they gave up 128 yards on the ground. They’ll need a more all-round defense to stop the Lions, who have scored an average of 30 points per game and have the third best passing offense in the league this season.
Previous meetings
This will be the Vikings’ 129th meeting with the Detroit Lions, all in the regular season. Although they hold an 81–45–2 lead in the overall series, the Vikings’ win at Ford Field in week 9 was their first over the Lions since a 28–24 victory at U.S. Bank Stadium in September 2022, which proved to be the last in a five-game winning streak at home. The Lions have won the last two in Minneapolis, a run the Vikings will be hoping to end if they’re to put a positive complexion on the season.
This is only the Vikings’ fourth game on Christmas Day, their most recent coming in 2020. They lost 52–33 to the New Orleans Saints that day, as Alvin Kamara rushed for an NFL record six touchdowns. The Vikings’ only Christmas Day win came on the final day of the 1989 regular season, when they beat the Cincinnati Bengals 29–21 to secure the NFC Central division title ahead of the Green Bay Packers.
Vikings injury report
The biggest injury to come out of Sunday’s win over the Giants was that of QB J. J. McCarthy, who had to leave the game at halftime after hurting his hand in the strip-sack that led to the Giants’ touchdown. Kevin O’Connell revealed on Tuesday that McCarthy had suffered a hairline fracture and would therefore miss the game against the Lions.
Also ruled out of Thursday’s game are RB Jordan Mason (ankle) and C Ryan Kelly (concussion). Mason’s injury meant Aaron Jones had to shoulder much of the burden in the run game, but Ty Chandler’s activation from injured reserve on Tuesday should see him slot right back in as RB2. Kelly was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday, ending his season. Michael Jurgens is expected to stand in for him, as Blake Brandel serves as the only recognised tackle available if Brian O’Neill (questionable) is ruled out due to the heel injury he’s been carrying since the Commanders game.
The only other player ruled out was TE T. J. Hockenson (shoulder), who was unable to practice all week, while rookie TE Gavin Bartholomew (back) is questionable, having only recently returned to practice after a season-long injured reserve stint. DL Javon Hargrave (thigh) and RB Aaron Jones (ankle) were limited all week, while LB Eric Wilson (thumb) was upgraded to full participation on Wednesday; all three have no injury designation, along with LB Austin Keys, who was a full participant all week.
Lions injury report
The Lions have ruled out two players for Thursday: S Avonte Maddox was unable to practice all week with a combination of illness and a back injury, while T Giovanni Manu (knee) wasn’t deemed fit enough to be activated from injured reserve. They have 11 players listed as questionable, including T Taylor Decker (shoulder), WR Amon-Ra St Brown (knee), RB David Montgomery (illness) and OLB Marcus Davenport (shoulder). C Graham Glasgow was limited on Monday but upgraded to full participation on Tuesday, and has no injury designation for the game.
Score predictions
- Reece: Lions 28, Vikings 13
- John: Lions 47, Vikings 12
- BDR: Lions 33, Vikings 14
Let us know your score predictions. Send us an email at UKVikingsFanClub@gmail.com or get in touch via any of our social media channels.
Photos courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings
