Minnesota Vikings: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Vikings 7-Round NFL Mock Draft: Kevin O'Connell gets a T.J. Hockenson replacement with a plethora of young defenders

The Minnesota Vikings have done some damage to their NFL Draft position over the last four weeks, as they have won every game to improve to 8-8. At the time of publishing, the Vikings currently sit with the 17th overall pick in the NFL Draft, which is a frustrating aspect for adding talent, but not for maintaining a culture.

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The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Minnesota Vikings' best player in 2025 season isn't who you think, and he set a franchise record vs. Detroit Lions

Thursday afternoon's win over the Detroit Lions highlighted multiple stars on the day. Safety Harrison Smith had a banner day with an interception, two tackles for loss, and three passes batted down.

Brian Flores News / Minnesota Vikings on SI / December 26

The Vikings' late success has made Brian Flores a more attractive head coaching candidate

When the Vikings lost four straight games in November, it looked like defensive coordinator Brian Flores wouldn't be a hot name in this year's head coaching carousel.

Harrison Smith News / Minnesota Vikings on SI / December 26

Harrison Smith gets emotional with massive career decision looming

We saw Harrison Smith turn back to the clock on against the Lions. He put together a vintage performance with three total tackles, two tackles for loss, three pass breakups and one interception on Christmas Day.

Drake Maye News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NFL's active 300-yard passers' quiz

How many of the active NFL quarterbacks to throw for at least 300 yards in a game can you name in eight minutes?

The 'NFL MVPs' quiz

The 'Oldest starting QB by NFL team' quiz

The 'Active NFL passing leaders' quiz

Minnesota Vikings News / Minnesota Vikings on SI / December 26

Vikings snap count analysis and notable PFF grades against Lions on Christmas Day

A historic performance from the Vikings' defense overshadowed a forgettable afternoon for Max Brosmer and the offense on Christmas Day against the Lions.

NFL News / Yardbarker

The biggest disappointments from the 2025 NFL season

All NFL players enter the season with high hopes, but sometimes seasons don't go as hoped. These 20 players have been some of the biggest disappointments early in the 2025 season.

J.J. McCarthy News / NFL on ClutchPoints / December 26

Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell leaves door open for Week 18 JJ McCarthy return

The Minnesota Vikings got back into the win column with a 23-10 victory over the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day. However, it was Max Brosmer playing quarterback.

NFL News / A to Z Sports / December 26

Minnesota Vikings secure Christmas Day win vs. Detroit Lions thanks to Kevin O'Connell's continued brilliance in a crucial moment

Despite the Minnesota Vikings not being able to get anything done on offense, it was head coach Kevin O'Connell's unit that came up big to seal a 23-10 win over the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day.

Justin Jefferson News / NFL on ClutchPoints / December 26

Vikings’ Justin Jefferson is in more danger of missing 1,000-yard milestone than you may think

Following the Minnesota Vikings’ 23-10 win over the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day in Week 17, wide receiver Justin Jefferson’s pursuit of another 1,000-yard receiving season has become far less certain than it appears on the surface.

Minnesota Vikings News / Total Apex Sports / December 26

Minnesota Vikings Justin Jefferson Breaks Record Held By Franchise Legend Randy Moss

In a league defined by passing milestones, Minnesota Vikings superstar Justin Jefferson has etched his name above one of the greatest to ever play the game.

Minnesota Vikings News / The Spun / December 26

Vikings Did Something On Christmas That No NFL Team Has Done In 47 Years

The Minnesota Vikings proved they can win ugly games, defeating the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day. Lions quarterback Jared Goff had no answer for Minnesota's defense on Thursday night.

Harrison Smith News / A to Z Sports / December 26

'Not surprised in any way' -- Harrison Smith's dominant Christmas Day game does more than cement his Hall of Fame legacy

The Minnesota Vikings found a way to get back to o.500 after defeating the Detroit Lions 23-10 on Christmas Day. Not only did it knock the Lions out of the playoffs, but Brian Flores' defense stole the show.

NFL News / Yardbarker

Looking back at every NFL Christmas Day game

For years, Thanksgiving belonged to the NFL, but Christmas belonged to the NBA. Occasionally, an NFL game would fall on Christmas, but it was anomalous, even avoided if possible.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'NBA Christmas Day triple-doubles' quiz

The 'NFL rookie QBs to win a playoff game' quiz

The 'NBA Christmas Day 40-point games' quiz

The 'Most 3-passing, 1-rushing TD games' quiz

NFL News / NFL on ClutchPoints / December 25

Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell’s ‘proud’ reaction to upsetting Lions behind 6 turnovers

The Minnesota Vikings knew they would need to rely heavily on their defense in order to beat the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day, but few fans could have genuinely predicted the dominant outing they were treated to on Thursday.

Minnesota Vikings News / Minnesota Vikings on SI / December 25

The strangest and most interesting stats from a unique Vikings victory

That was a unique one. In their 23-10 win over the Lions on Christmas Day, the Vikings won the turnover battle 6-0 and managed just 3 net passing yards.

NFL News / Larry Brown Sports / December 26

Lions get clowned after being eliminated in embarrassing fashion vs. Vikings

The Detroit Lions got a huge serving of fan shaming this holiday season.

Sloppy Lions' window could be closing after being eliminated from playoff contention

Vikings' win over Lions featured historically inept passing performance

Packers send 'filthy' message after Lions' Christmas Day downfall

NBA analysts Richard Jefferson, Kendrick Perkins blast NFL for taking over Christmas Day schedule: 'Y'all can have Thanksgiving'

The biggest disappointments from the 2025 NFL season

The 'Most INT's in a first NFL start' quiz

NFL News / NFL on ClutchPoints / December 25

Vikings set all kinds of records after beating Lions with 3 passing yards

If you asked any Minnesota Vikings fan what they wanted for Christmas, a win over the Detroit Lions was probably at the top of the list. But doing it with just three, yes, three, net passing yards?

NFL News / Yardbarker / December 26

Vikings' win over Lions featured historically inept passing performance

The Minnesota Vikings played the role of spoiler on Christmas. Their 23-10 win over the Detroit Lions officially eliminated their divisional rival from playoff contention.

Vikings win fourth straight, knock Lions out of playoff race

Sloppy Lions' window could be closing after being eliminated from playoff contention

The biggest disappointments from the 2025 NFL season

The 'Most INT's in a first NFL start' quiz

Minnesota Vikings News / NFL on ClutchPoints / December 25

Justin Jefferson passes Randy Moss for most receiving yards in first 6 seasons

Justin Jefferson has not had the season he probably anticipated, but the All-Pro wide receiver still managed to reach a spectacular milestone in Week 17 of the 2025-26 campaign.

NFL News / Field Level Media / December 25

Vikings win fourth straight, knock Lions out of playoff race

Jordan Addison broke free for a 65-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter, and the Minnesota Vikings pulled away for a 23-10 win over the eliminated Detroit Lions on Thursday afternoon in Minneapolis.

Brian Flores News / A to Z Sports / December 25

Brian Flores' defense gives Vikings fans well deserved Christmas present by giving the Lions a giant lump of coal

Going into Thursday afternoon's game against the Detroit Lions, the Minnesota Vikings had struggled to force turnovers. After forcing a whopping 33 last season, Brian Flores' defense had forced just 15 going into Thursday's game, an average of one per game.

NFL News / Yardbarker / December 26