Thursday, December 25, 2025

Pre-Game Lions Links for Friday 12-25-25

🦌 Merry Christmas 🎄

Articles:







PFF Grades and Data: Key insights for the Christmas Day NFL games (Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings - With their playoff hopes on the line, the Lions will need to reestablish the run game — and that starts with Jahmyr Gibbs after he posted a career-low 2 rushing yards last week against the Steelers.  Gibbs has traditionally been at his best against the Vikings. Over his career versus Minnesota, he’s averaged 5.2 yards per carry and 3.5 yards after contact per attempt, consistently creating extra yardage on his own. His 24 missed tackles forced on rushing attempts are also the most by any running back against the Vikings since the start of the 2023 season.  Aaron Jones turned in a vintage performance in the Vikings’ win over the Giants in Week 16. Jones rushed for a season-high 85 yards with 57 yards after contact, also a season best for the veteran running back.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-pff-grades-and-data-key-insights-for-the-christmas-day-nfl-games-cowboys-commanders-chiefs-broncos-lions-vikings

NFL Week 17 Preview: Schedule, storylines, matchups to watch and betting spreads (Detroit Lions (-6) vs. Minnesota Vikings - Storyline of the game: The Lions' slim, slim playoff hopes.  The 29-24 Week 16 loss to the Steelers was the ultimate dent in the Lions’ playoff hopes. Now 8-7, the Lions have just a 4% chance of making the postseason. They need to win out and hope the Packers lose out; that’s the only way the Lions can make the postseason for the third successive season. The Lions’ struggles lie with the defense in recent weeks — they’re 30th in EPA per play allowed since Week 9, and allowed 230 rushing yards against the Steelers.  To make the playoffs, the Lions have to start by beating the 7-8 Minnesota Vikings, who have won three games in a row. It’s a long and unlikely road the Lions have to walk, but Dan Campbell will likely rally his team to get the job done.  Matchup to watch: Lions’ pass protection vs Vikings' pass blitz.  Even without the likes of Frank Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler in the trenches, the Lions’ offensive line is still a strength. Jared Goff (78.5 grade; 12th) has been pressured on just 35.6% of his dropbacks in 2025, and the play of tackle Penei Sewell (94.9 grade; 1st), as well as rookie guard Tate Ratledge (69.1 grade; 23rd), has been a big reason for the solid protection numbers.  However, Detroit takes on the Vikings, who blitz on 61.8% of their defensive snaps. If there’s any way to get after this offensive line in the passing game, it’s through blitzes and stunts. Since Week 9, the Lions have the fifth-highest pressure rate allowed when defenses stunt, and the ninth-highest pressure rate permitted when teams blitz. Expect the Vikings to do what they usually do under Brian Flores.  Additional News - Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) is questionable.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-17-preview-schedule-storylines-matchups-to-watch-and-betting-spreads

The NFL’s 2025 Christmas Day Slate Is a Big Lump of Coal: Here’s What’s at Stake (Game 2: Lions at Vikings (4:30 p.m. ET on Netflix) - Starting quarterbacks: Jared Goff (Lions) and Max Brosmer (Vikings).  What’s at stake: The Lions’ slim playoff hopes.  Aside from Denver, the Lions are the only other team playing on Christmas Day with their playoff dreams alive, although NFL’s Next Gen Stats gives Detroit a mere 6% chance to make the postseason. The only way the Lions can make the playoffs is to win out (against the Vikings and Bears) while the Packers lose out (to the Ravens and Vikings).  Minnesota, on the other hand, doesn’t have anything to play for. The Vikings have won three straight games and were hoping to build a bit of momentum heading into 2026 with second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy finding a rhythm, but he suffered a season-ending hand injury last week against the Giants.  Now, the Vikings trot out undrafted free agent Max Brosmer, who threw four interceptions in his first (and only) NFL start back in Week 13. Yikes.  Perhaps watching the latest Stranger Things episodes is a better way to spend your Christmas on Netflix than this NFC North collision.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2025-christmas-day-slate-big-lump-of-coal-whats-at-stake



Lions’ Playoff Scenarios Week 17: Can Detroit Still Make the Postseason or Win NFC North?:  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/lions-playoff-scenarios-week-17/
Posted by LionsFan at 3:59 PM

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