It’s been difficult to process some of the games the Minnesota Vikings have played this season. Sometimes, finding any silver lining is almost impossible (see the loss to the Packers in Week 12). But it was equally challenging to find any negatives in their wins over the Bengals and Cowboys.
On Christmas Day, the Vikings encapsulated their entire 2025 season when they defeated the Detroit Lions, 23-10. The positive aspects were great, while the negative parts were atrocious. It was a microcosm of a season full of disappointment and missed opportunities, so it was fitting that it came in Week 17.
The victory moved Minnesota to third in the NFC North, dropping Detroit to last place. The loss eliminated the Lions from the playoffs, even though their chances were slim. It was the Vikings’ first season sweep of Detroit since 2020.
Here is the good, the bad, and the ugly from the Vikings’ victory on Thursday.
The Good: The defense
This was an exceptional performance from Brian Flores’ defense. They terrorized Jared Goff all day, sacking him five times, picking him off twice, and recovering all three forced fumbles. In total, the Vikings forced six turnovers on the day.
Goff only completed 18-of-29 passes for 197 yards, unable to stretch the field and make the Vikings pay for their aggressiveness. He wasn’t helped out by the run game, either, as the Lions were limited to 68 yards on 30 rushing attempts. It was perhaps the Vikings’ most complete defensive performance of the season.
The Bad: Justin Jefferson’s limited production
Justin Jefferson’s pursuit of 1,000 yards is in jeopardy. He needed 87 yards to reach the milestone heading into Thursday’s game. But Jefferson was only targeted five times, catching four passes for 30 yards.
That leaves him 57 yards short of 1,000, an output that would be attainable any other season for him. But Jefferson has only eclipsed 57 yards twice since the start of November. Perhaps getting J.J. McCarthy back next week can help some, but Jefferson’s production has waned since Carson Wentz left the lineup.
This is not an anti-Jefferson post. It is aimed at only pointing out his lack of production, which has not been his fault this season.
The Ugly: The passing attack
The Vikings had only 3 net passing yards on Thursday, their fewest in team history. Rookie Max Brosmer was 9-of-16 for 51 yards, losing 48 yards on seven sacks. He wasn’t comfortable in the pocket, passing up opportunities to throw downfield to open receivers.
It didn’t help that Minnesota was down three starters on the offensive line. We also need to remember that Brosmer is not only a rookie, but also undrafted. But his performance was a reminder of how essential it is for the Vikings to bring in another option at quarterback this offseason to provide insurance if McCarthy can’t stay healthy and/or continue progressing into a more consistent passer.