A defensive masterpiece for Christmas

The Vikings defense dominated in a surprising victory over Detroit

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By Matthew Coller

MINNEAPOLIS — Brian Flores came to US Bank Stadium on Christmas Day to kick ass and hand out presents and he was all out of presents.

If Flores wanted to make a final statement to the rest of the NFL on national TV as he goes into the final game of his contract with the Vikings, he went out like the end of Die Hard. His defense completely demolished the Detroit Lions from start to finish, leaving quarterback Jared Goff — who entered with 32 touchdowns and five INTs — in absolute blitz hell. And if Jahmyr Gibbs thought he was going to run away from the Vikings’ D as he has in the past, he was dead wrong. The defense clobbered Detroit’s run game as well.

It literally does not get better than that. Sacks, QB hits, fumbles, an interception by Harrison Smith. Six turnovers in total. Goff’s offensive line had no chance of protecting him and the veteran QB was left frustrated and bruised.

All the Vikings’ offense needed was a couple of Will Reichard field goals and an end around touchdown late in the fourth quarter by Jordan Addison to take home their 8th victory of the season.

A few thoughts…

1 — If the Vikings had a halfway acceptable offense this year, they would be in the playoffs. The defense has emerged in the second half of the season as a completely dominant unit when fully healthy that would have been terrifying for any team facing them in the playoffs.

2 — Because of that, the what-ifs for the 2025 season are maddening. What would this look like with Sam Darnold or Aaron Rodgers under center? Or even if JJ McCarthy had remained healthy earlier in the year and had a chance to develop more or win a couple more games in the middle of the season?

3 — Max Brosmer cannot be the Vikings backup QB next year. Sure, they can continue to develop him as QB3 but his ineptitude under pressure was pretty clear proof that he isn’t ready to be trusted to play in these games. Detroit’s defense came into the game as one of the worst in the NFL over the last month. He showed no capability to complete passes or deal with Detroit’s pressure.

4 — JJ McCarthy’s “small” hairline fracture might just get a lot smaller before last week after watching this game. While it is certainly a matter of his health and ability to grip the ball, the Vikings having a chance to salvage a winning record could be pretty inspiring for him to push it.

5 — Will Reichard is the best kicker in the NFL. Unfathomably consistent from all ranges. Without him, this team isn’t close to a .500 record.

6 — Yes, this win was all Flores’ defense but O’Connell’s teams do not quit. They did not quit when they struggled to start 2023 or even at the finish of ‘23 when things were pretty gnarly. They did not relent despite plenty of star power on the shelf against a seemingly superior Detroit team.

7 — Can we talk about Detroit’s future for a second? Did they miss their window? How does Dan Campbell get back his magic without Ben Johnson? How will they rebuild an entire offensive line this offseason? Times might get a lot tougher quicker in Motown.

8 — A lot of the players on defense will be back next year, including an emerging Dallas Turner. Can the Vikings convince Flores to return? He may get some offers he can’t refuse after this game.

9 — Will the Packers be playing for something next week? If McCarthy does come back, he could be facing a team of backups and have a chance to end on a high note.

Anyway, what a strange day. Here’s how it went down…