The Minnesota Vikings ride into Week 17 with an injury report that is growing by the day, but at least they carry with them a three-game winning streak. The injuries are going to really be felt on Christmas Day when they deal with a Detroit Lions team that is playing with a chip on their shoulder.

The Lions are fighting for their playoff lives with two weeks remaining in the year, and they want revenge for a loss they suffered earlier.

The Vikings will be without J.J. McCarthy, who is dealing with a hairline fracture in his hand, so Max Brosmer will start this matchup. That, of course, will be good news for the Lions, and it will allow for Brosmer to prove his doubters wrong after an awful debut against the Seahawks earlier in the year.

Here is our blog of the Vikings and Lions Week 17 matchup.

Wide receiver Jordan Addison took one of the few touches he had in the game and made the most of it. He was handed the ball and took it 65 yards to the house to put the Vikings up by two scores. They now lead 20-10 with 3:43 left in the final quarter.

The Vikings’ defense continues to make life miserable for the Lions, and they stop them on third down to make them settle for a field goal. Jake Bates sent one through the uprights from 48 yards out, and the score is now 13-10.

The Vikings are dominating the Lions thanks in part to the work of Brian Flores and his defense. They forced a fifth turnover and they added another field goal to their lead so they now are up 13-7 in the fourth quarter.

The Vikings turn the Byron Murphy Jr. interception into points as Will Reichard connects from 52 yards out to give them a 10-7 lead.

The Vikings’ defense has the Lions’ offensive line in shambles on Christmas Day. Theo Jackson secured a sack, and on the next play, Jared Goff was hit, and his pass was short, and Byron Murphy Jr. intercepted it. The Vikings are now looking to get the lead back in their favor as they get into the Lions’ territory.

Jared Goff and the Lions’ offense were struggling to convert at the goal line as the Vikings’ defense was standing tall. However, Goff eventually converted fourth down against the Vikings, and he connected with rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa for a score. The game is now tied at seven apiece at halftime.

The Vikings’ defense forces another fumble, this time from Jahmyr Gibbs. Eric Wilson got into the pile and ripped the ball out, and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. recovered it. The Vikings are set up in the Lions’ territory once again.

The Vikings forced a fumble that Andrew Van Ginkel recovered for Minnesota deep in Detroit territory. Aaron Jones then punched it in from one yard out, and the Vikings got on the board first and lead 7-0.

The Minnesota Vikings will be without some notable names on offense in Week 17. They were already going to be without J.J. McCarthy, T.J. Hockenson, and Ryan Kelly, but now they are without Jordan Mason. The running game will go through Aaron Jones in a big game for the Vikings as the end of the season nears.

Today’s #Vikings inactives

QB J.J. McCarthy
QB Brett Rypien (Emergency 3rd QB)
RB Jordan Mason
LB Austin Keys
T Brian O’Neill
TE T.J. Hockenson

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 25, 2025Week 1: W, 27-24 at Chicago Bears (1-0)Week 2: L, 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons (1-1)Week 3: W, 48-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals (2-1)Week 4: L, 24-21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)Week 5: W, 21-17 win over the Cleveland Browns (3-2)Week 6: BYE WeekWeek 7: L, 28-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles (3-3)Week 8: L, 37-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers (3-4)Week 9: W, 27-24 win over the Detroit Lions (4-4)Week 10: L, 27-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens (4-5)Week 11: L, 19-17 loss to the Chicago Bears (4-6)Week 12: L, 23-6 loss to the Green Bay Packers (4-7)Week 13: L, 26-0 loss to the Seattle Seahawks (4-8)Week 14: W, 31-0 win over the Washington Commanders (5-8)Week 15: W, 34-26 win over the Dallas Cowboys (6-8)Week 16: W, 16-13 win over the New York Giants (7-8)Week 17: Thursday, Dec. 25, vs. Detroit Lions, 3:30 P.M., NetflixWeek 18: TBD, TBD, vs. Green Bay Packers, TBD, TBD