The Detroit Lions officially were eliminated from the playoff hunt on Christmas, and a lot of people watched it happen.
Netflix on Wednesday announced the Lions’ 23-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis was the most-streamed NFL game in U.S. history, averaging 27.5 million viewers, per Nielsen, and peaking at more than 30 million viewers.
That surpassed the Baltimore Ravens’ 31-2 victory over the Houston Texans on Christmas in 2024, which also was streamed by Netflix. That game drew an average of 27.2 million viewers.
The Lions entered that game needing a victory to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, after winning their second straight NFC North title and earning the top seed in the NFC just a year ago. Instead, the Lions committed six turnovers and wasted a strong defensive performance (six sacks, holding the Vikings to 3 net passing yards) against third-string quarterback Max Brosmer in dropping their third straight game.
The Lions (8-8) close out their season Sunday at the NFC North champion Chicago Bears (11-5), led by head coach and former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
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