The Detroit Lions entered U.S. Bank Stadium looking to control the game through Jared Goff and Jahmyr Gibbs. Instead, Minnesota’s rushing attack and two defensive interceptions helped produce a 23-10 Vikings victory on December 25, 2025.
The Final Score Tells Only Part of the Story
The Vikings won 23-10, scoring in every quarter except the second. Detroit led 7-0 briefly after Isaac TeSlaa caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Goff, but Minnesota responded with field goals and a late rushing touchdown from Jordan Addison.
The official NFL statistics show a strange contrast. Detroit finished with 231 total yards compared with Minnesota’s 161, yet the Vikings controlled the areas that directly affected the scoreboard.
Detroit had 163 net passing yards and 68 rushing yards. Minnesota managed only three net passing yards but produced 158 rushing yards.
Jared Goff’s Numbers Were Mixed
Goff completed 18 of 29 passes for 197 yards and one touchdown. He also threw two interceptions and was sacked five times for a total loss of 34 yards. His official passer rating was 64.9.
The quarterback’s most productive passing connection was with Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Lions receiver finished with eight catches from 13 targets for 68 yards, although he did not score.
Isaac TeSlaa provided Detroit’s only passing touchdown. He caught three passes for 49 yards, including the four-yard touchdown that tied the game at 7-7 in the second quarter.
Jahmyr Gibbs Could Not Find Much Running Room
Gibbs received 17 rushing attempts but gained only 41 yards, averaging 2.4 yards per carry. His longest run was eight yards, and he did not score.
He also caught two passes for 23 yards. The official statistics record one lost fumble for Gibbs, adding another difficult moment to Detroit’s offensive performance.
David Montgomery had 10 carries for 25 yards and added two receptions for 15 yards. Together, Detroit’s two principal running backs produced 66 rushing yards on 27 attempts.
Minnesota’s Passing Game Was Almost Nonexistxent
One of the most unusual statistics from the game came from Minnesota’s passing attack.
Michael Brosmer completed only nine of 16 passes for 51 yards. He threw no touchdowns and no interceptions, but he was sacked seven times for 48 yards. His passer rating was 62.2.
That means Minnesota finished with only three net passing yards after sack yardage was deducted.
Yet the Vikings did not need a conventional passing performance because their ground game supplied the difference.
Jordan Addison Produced the Defining Play
Addison carried the ball just once.
That single rushing attempt went for 65 yards and a touchdown, giving Minnesota a crucial fourth-quarter score. The play came with 3:43 remaining and extended the Vikings’ lead from 13-10 to 20-10.
Aaron Jones was Minnesota’s main rushing contributor. He carried 18 times for 53 yards and scored the Vikings’ first touchdown on a one-yard run.
Ty Chandler added seven carries for 24 yards. With Addison’s explosive run included, Minnesota finished with 158 rushing yards at an average of 5.6 yards per attempt.
Justin Jefferson Was Held to 30 Receiving Yards
Justin Jefferson entered the matchup as one of Minnesota’s most recognizable offensive players, but his production was limited.
He caught four of five targets for 30 yards, with a longest reception of 10 yards. He did not score.
That statistic is important because Minnesota won despite receiving very little from its passing game. The Vikings’ offense instead relied heavily on Jones, Addison’s 65-yard run and its defense.
The Defensive Numbers Changed the Game
Minnesota intercepted Goff twice. Harrison Smith recorded one interception, while Brian Murphy also picked off the Detroit quarterback.
The Vikings also recorded seven sacks as a team. Jonathan Allen, Dallas Turner, Javon Hargrave and others contributed to the pressure, while Blake Cashman led Minnesota with 17 combined tackles.
Detroit’s defense also generated pressure. Aidan Hutchinson recorded two sacks and finished with six combined tackles, while Alim McNeill and others helped keep Minnesota’s passing production extremely low.
What the Player Stats Actually Reveal
The final numbers make this matchup unusual. Detroit gained 231 total yards, 70 more than Minnesota, and possessed the ball for 32:30 compared with Minnesota’s 27:30.
But Detroit also lost four fumbles, while Minnesota did not lose its only fumble. The Lions threw two interceptions, and Minnesota converted its limited offensive opportunities into two rushing touchdowns and three field goals.
So the statistical story is not simply about total yardage. The decisive figures were Minnesota’s 158 rushing yards, seven sacks and two interceptions.
There is no official statistic suggesting that one individual player alone determined the result. The box score instead points to a combination of Minnesota’s rushing efficiency, defensive pressure and Detroit turnovers.
The Bottom Line
For the December 25, 2025 meeting, the Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings match player stats tell a clear story: Goff produced 197 passing yards, St. Brown caught eight passes for 68 yards, and Gibbs led Detroit with 41 rushing yards. But Minnesota’s 158 rushing yards, seven sacks and two interceptions helped turn a low-scoring game into a 23-10 Vikings win.
These figures are from the official NFL game statistics for that specific matchup. Any article using different numbers without identifying another Lions-Vikings game would be mixing statistics from separate meetings.
Author Bio:
Daniel Carter is a sports and human-interest journalist covering NFL games, player performances and statistical storylines. His work focuses on turning official game records into clear, reader-friendly reports.