NFL Christmas roundup: Vikings eliminate Lions from playoff contention in 23-10 upset

Updated
Vikings RB Aaron Jones celebrates a touchdown with fans on Christmas against the Detroit Lions (2025)
Vikings RB Aaron Jones celebrates a touchdown with fans on Christmas against the Detroit Lions (2025)Profimedia Stephen Maturen/Getty Images/

After the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Washington Commanders in the first game on Christmas, the Minnesota Vikings forced six turnovers to officially eliminate the Detroit Lions from playoff contention!

Be sure to check out who our NFL experts picked for today's games!

Cowboys 30-23 Commanders

After 480 yards of total offence on 87 total plays, the Cowboys held on for a close win over the Commanders as they improved to 7-8-1, snapping a three-game losing streak. The Commanders fell to 4-11. 

The first half of the game was all Dallas as they headed into the locker room with a commanding 24-10 lead. 

Wide receiver KaVontae Turpin's 86-yard touchdown set a record for the longest touchdown in NFL Christmas Day history.

Running back Javonte Williams, who finished the game with 54 yards on 13 carries, punched one in for Dallas during the first half. 

But it was tight end Jake Ferguson's bobble-catch touchdown - his only reception of the game - that put the Cowboys on the board first

But the Commanders wouldn't bend the knee in the second half. Washington rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt went wild with a 72-yard touchdown run that cut the lead to 24-17.

It's now officially the longest run of Croskey-Merritt's career and the longest of his rookie season since Week 1 against the Detroit Lions (42 yards). It would also make it three straight weeks that the rookie had scored at least one touchdown. 

He finished the game with 105 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries - leading all running backs. Both teams would hit a couple of field goals each, leaving the Cowboys as victors in the end.

Vikings 23-10 Lions

After committing only eight turnovers all season long - the fewest of any team in the NFL - Detroit gave the ball up six times in a must-win game to keep their playoff hopes alive. 

But their 2025 season is now just one more regular season game away from ending as the Vikings officially eliminated them from playoff contention. 

Lions QB Jared Goff had five of those six turnovers, with two interceptions and three fumbles - running back Jahmyr Gibbs had the other.

Despite Minnesota only putting up 161 total yards of offence with backup quarterback Max Brosmer under center, the six turnovers and two touchdowns were all that was needed to at least give their fans a nice, final Christmas gift at home. 

Running back Jordan Addison had the big highlight of the night when he took one to the house for 65 yards. Starting RB Aaron Jones Sr. had the other touchdown with 53 yards on 18 carries. 

BroncosChiefs

The Denver Broncos are heading into Kansas City for the night game on Christmas Day as they look to win the AFC West divisional crown this weekend, should the Los Angeles Chargers also lose. 

The Chiefs are rolling with third-string quarterbackChris Oladokun after both Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew are sidelined with injuries.

This game will be streaming on Amazon Prime.