The Minnesota Vikings didn’t light up the scoreboard on Thursday, but they didn’t need to. One explosive play - and a relentless defensive effort - was enough to take down the Detroit Lions in a gritty 23-10 win that carried major playoff implications.
With just under four minutes left in the fourth quarter, wide receiver Jordan Addison turned a simple end-around into a game-breaking 65-yard touchdown sprint. It was the lone offensive highlight for a Vikings unit that struggled to find rhythm for most of the afternoon. But in a game dominated by defense and mistakes, Addison’s burst was the difference-maker, giving Minnesota a 20-10 lead and putting Detroit on the ropes.
The Lions had a chance to respond, but their sixth turnover of the day sealed their fate. A high shotgun snap slipped through Jared Goff’s hands, and linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel pounced on the loose ball deep in Lions territory. It was Van Ginkel’s second fumble recovery of the game - and just one piece of what was arguably the best performance of his season.
The Vikings offense still had work to do, and Detroit managed to force a third-and-5, a down they’d controlled for much of the game. But rookie quarterback Max Brosmer came through with a clutch throw to Justin Jefferson, converting the first down and keeping the drive alive. That set up kicker Will Reichard for his third field goal of the day, a dagger from short range that pushed the lead to 13 with just over a minute left.
While Addison’s touchdown will get the headlines, this game belonged to the Vikings defense. They sacked Goff five times, held the Lions to just 196 total yards, and forced turnover after turnover.
Van Ginkel was everywhere - recovering two fumbles, pressuring Goff into one of his two third-quarter interceptions, and sharing a sack with rookie Dallas Turner. It was a full-team defensive effort that bailed out an offense that, outside of one play, couldn’t get much going.
To put it in perspective: before Addison’s touchdown, the Vikings had just 75 yards of total offense. And after Jefferson’s late-game catch, they finished with only three net passing yards on the day.
That’s not a typo. It’s a stark reminder that Minnesota’s quarterback situation has been a major limiting factor this season.
The defense has done more than its share, but without stability under center, the ceiling has been low. Fixing that - whether through the draft, free agency, or internal development - has to be priority No. 1 heading into 2026.
As for the Lions, this loss stings - and not just because it knocked them further from postseason contention. With the defeat, the Packers clinched a playoff berth, and Detroit’s late-season collapse is now undeniable.
After starting the year 5-2, the Lions have dropped six of their last nine, falling to 8-8 with one game to go. Injuries certainly played a role, but there’s no ignoring the impact of losing key assistants like Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn after last season’s 15-2 run.
The drop-off has been steep.
Head coach Dan Campbell, once the face of the Lions’ resurgence, now finds himself facing real pressure. If Detroit doesn’t start strong next season, his seat could heat up quickly. Expect changes on the coaching staff this offseason as the organization looks to recapture the energy and execution that fueled last year’s success.
The Lions will wrap up their season next week in Chicago, while the Vikings close things out at home against the Packers. For Minnesota, it’s a chance to finish on a high note. For Detroit, it’s one last opportunity to show some fight before what figures to be a pivotal offseason.