Urgency and stakes Christmas comes with no gifts for the Detroit Lions — only pressure. With their playoff hopes on life support and no room for error, Detroit enters Christmas Day needing a win in Minnesota to keep its season alive.
On Christmas Day, the Detroit Lions will travel to Minnesota to face the Vikings with their postseason hopes hanging by a thread. Detroit has no margin for error, needing to win its final two games to keep realistic playoff aspirations alive. The Vikings, meanwhile, have already ruled out quarterback J.J. McCarthy, paving the way for Max Brosmer to make the start. When an inexperienced quarterback is under center, opportunities tend to follow, and for Detroit, this matchup sets the stage for a defining afternoon.
Bold prediction No. 1: Aidan Hutchinson records two sacks
Few players on Detroit’s roster embody resilience and consistency more than Aidan Hutchinson. Just one year removed from a broken leg, Hutchinson was recently named to the Pro Bowl, a testament to both his recovery and his sustained production. He enters Week 17 with 11.5 sacks, already tying his career high and positioning himself to surpass it with two games remaining.
Hutchinson reached the two-sack mark last week against Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers, and the matchup against Minnesota presents an even more enticing opportunity. Brosmer is an inexperienced quarterback making just his second NFL start, and Detroit’s defensive front will look to test his composure early and often. Hutchinson, already the first player in NFL history to record 40-plus sacks and five interceptions before turning 26, thrives in moments where pressure can flip a game.
The Lions’ defensive end also expressed excitement about playing on Christmas, calling it “a blessing” and emphasizing his desire to win a holiday game. Against a Vikings offensive line likely focused on survival, Hutchinson’s blend of power, speed and motivation makes another multi-sack performance feel well within reach.
Bold prediction No. 2: Jahmyr Gibbs rushes for 125 yards
This may be the boldest call of the day. After a 219-yard explosion against the Giants earlier this season, Gibbs has cooled off significantly, totaling just 151 rushing yards over his last four games. His struggles reached a low point last week, when he finished with only two rushing yards — the worst performance of his young career.
Complicating matters further, Gibbs managed just 25 rushing yards the last time he faced Minnesota. But talent often wins out over trends, and Gibbs remains one of the most dynamic running backs in the NFL. He has already eclipsed the 125-yard mark three times this season, proving the ceiling is still there.
Minnesota’s run defense has been vulnerable, allowing 127 rushing yards per game and ranking 24th in the league. With the Vikings starting an inexperienced quarterback, Detroit should aim to control the tempo and protect any lead by leaning heavily on the ground game. If the Lions are playing from ahead — as expected — Gibbs could see a high volume of second-half carries, allowing him to break free and snap his recent slump in emphatic fashion.
Bold prediction No. 3: Lions win by 14 or more
Detroit is coming off back-to-back losses for the first time since the 2022 season, but the urgency surrounding this game cannot be overstated. The Lions remain in the playoff hunt, and their desperation alone sets them apart from a Minnesota team focused on development rather than contention.
The Vikings have not swept Detroit since 2021 and have never done so under coach Dan Campbell. That history, combined with the sting of losing the first matchup this season, provides added motivation. Brosmer’s first NFL start offered little reassurance, as he threw four interceptions, passed for just 126 yards, failed to record a touchdown and was shut out 26-0 by Seattle.
Detroit still needs help beyond Christmas Day to make the playoffs, but a convincing win could provide a spark of belief. On a stage built for statements, the Lions have a chance to deliver one, and keep their season alive a little longer.