Vikings Spoil Lions' Playoff Hopes on Christmas Day Amid NFL Christmas Games Criticism
The NFL scheduled three games on Christmas Day this year, with Netflix streaming two daytime games and Amazon Prime Video airing one game at night as part of the league's broadcasting deal. These games were seen as an encroachment on the NBA's traditional dominance of Christmas Day television. Charles Barkley criticized the NFL on ESPN, calling the league greedy for scheduling Christmas Day games and stating that Christmas is an NBA day. Barkley had also previously condemned the NFL in January 2024 for an exclusive Peacock playoff game, which he described as low class. The league continues to discuss expanding the regular season to 18 games and possibly moving the Super Bowl to Presidents Day.
On December 25, 2025, the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Detroit Lions 23-10 in Minneapolis, effectively ending Detroit's playoff hopes. The Lions committed six turnovers, including four fumbles and two interceptions, with quarterback Jared Goff responsible for five of these turnovers and Jahmyr Gibbs losing one fumble. Jordan Addison extended the Vikings' lead in the fourth quarter with a 66-yard touchdown run. Goff finished the game completing 18 of 29 passes for 197 yards, with one touchdown, and was sacked five times. Both teams now hold an 8-8 record, with the Vikings having a remaining game against the Packers. As a result of the Lions' loss, the Green Bay Packers have clinched a playoff spot.
