With 11 50+ yard field goes this season, @WillReichard passed Blair Walsh (10) for the most 50+ yard field goals made in a single season in team history.

Reichard’s 116 points this season are a career high (had 110 as a rookie in 2024).#DETvsMIN pic.twitter.com/LbQxYu6v8i

— Vikings Communications (@VikingsPR) December 25, 2025

The Minnesota Vikings didn’t have anything to play for on Christmas Day when they hosted the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. You wouldn’t have known that if you had watched Minnesota’s defense.

Detroit entered the game with the NFL’s 4th-ranked offense. They managed only 231 yards against the Vikings, a season-low. The Lions, who entered the game with only eight turnovers all season, coughed the ball up six times.

It was a dominant performance that was matched by an equally inept showing from Minnesota’s offense. But the Vikings won 23-10 and leapfrogged the Lions in the NFC North standings after sweeping them in the season series.

Harrison Smith is still a menace to offenses

Harrison Smith proved he still has juice left in the tank. The 36-year-old safety terrorized the Lions’ offense all day. He intercepted his second pass of the season and was credited with three passes defensed.

Smith’s sack of Jared Goff on the first drive was historic, too. He became just the second player in NFL history with at least 38 interceptions and 21.5 sacks, joining former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber.

After the game, Smith was emotional in the locker room, speaking with reporters.

“We’re out of the playoffs,” he said. “Everybody shows up in white. They do their part. And one of these days, they’ll get it.”

Next week’s game against the Packers could be the final one of Smith’s career. If it is, he’s leaving after having put together one of the best games of his career.

Reichard makes Vikings history

Minnesota has one of the best kickers in football, and he’s put together one of the best seasons in Vikings history. Will Reichard was perfect once again on Thursday, hitting all three field goals and both extra point attempts.

Two kicks came from over 50 yards, including a long of 56. That gives Reichard 11 field goals of over 50 yards this season, passing Blair Walsh (10) for the most in the history of the Vikings.

Reichard wasn’t voted to the Pro Bowl this season, but he still has a chance to make the All-Pro team. He has made 30-of-32 field goal attempts and all 30 extra point tries, setting a new career-high in points (116).

The Vikings’ passing offense was atrocious

Minnesota’s passing attack has struggled all season. But it was historically bad on Thursday, joining a very short list of teams to win despite their air incompetence.

The Vikings had three net passing yards (not a typo). According to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, that makes them only the third team in the past 40 years to win despite having fewer than 10 net passing yards.

Rookie Max Brosmer struggled again, completing 9-of-16 passes for 51 yards and taking seven sacks, losing 48 yards. That also made him the only quarterback in the Super Bowl era to throw for under 70 yards, take seven or more sacks, and still win. It was, truly, a Christmas Miracle that the Vikings found a way to win.