Total Pro Sports
The Minnesota Vikings had no business winning on Christmas, but they found a way. Detroit had everything to play for as their playoff lives depended on getting that win. They failed in every way imaginable.
The Vikings saw three net passing yards come sailing in on Christmas Day. Three. You read that correctly.
In a game that set football back a few decades, the Vikings somehow pulled off a 23-10 victory over the Lions. The game was played at U.S. Bank Stadium on Christmas Day.
Minnesota’s offense needed a 10-yard reception from Justin Jefferson just to get them out of the negative. They became the fifth team in the Super Bowl era to win a game like this. They did so by double digits despite having fewer than 10 net passing yards.
The last time this happened was over 47 years ago. The Green Bay Packers defeated the San Diego Chargers by a score of 24-3. Packers quarterback David Whitehurst had nine net passing yards. The game was played on Sept. 24, 1978.
Rookie quarterback Max Brosmer filled in for an injured J.J. McCarthy. The team already had another teammate on their minds. Star Ryan Kelly lost his season after suffering his third concussion in three months. He might not play another game in his career.
On Christmas, Brosmer completed 9 of 16 passes for 51 yards. However, he was sacked seven times, and the team finished with a measly three net passing yards.
Associated Press’s Josh Dubow added that the figure was the second-fewest for any winning team in the last 42 seasons. The Texans beat the Raiders with -5 net passing yards in 2006. Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune further added to the low figure. He noted it was the fewest passing yards in a win in Minnesota Vikings history.
It was also the lowest by any team since the Seattle Seahawks won with two yards back in 1983. The Vikings won this game due to forcing six turnovers from a bewildered Jared Goff and the Lions’ offense.
Their defense consistently handed the offense short fields throughout the game. It ultimately worked out for them. The team improved its record to 8-8.
