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MN Vikings Star Hits Another Record in Confusing Victory
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- MN Vikings Star Hits Another Record in Confusing Victory
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Christmas Day was once the NBA's day on the sports calendar. While Charles Barkley was vocal about that not being his favorite , the most popular league in America has taken over. The Minnesota Vikings took on the Detroit Lions Thursday and emerged victorious.
Although it was an ugly win, not unlike the contest last weekend against the New York Giants , that doesn't mean there weren't bright spots. A paltry offensive day was still led by Justin Jefferson in receiving yardage, and he added another milestone to his mantle in the process.
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Justin Jefferson passes Randy Moss in NFL lore
Through his first five NFL seasons, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson owned an all-time record 96.5 yards per game average . J.J. McCarthy and the quarterback play has tanked that this year, but he's still accumulating yardage. On Thursday he set a new NFL record.
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. @JJettas2 passed Randy Moss (8,375) for the most receiving yards by a player in his first six NFL seasons. #DETvsMIN pic.twitter.com/aR5eLq6cc6
— Vikings Communications (@VikingsPR) December 26, 2025
Although Jefferson's per-game averages have fallen off a cliff this season, he's now up to 8,379 yards for his career. That overtook former MN Vikings legend Randy Moss for most all-time through a player's first six seasons.
Of course Moss went on to accumulate more than 15,000 career receiving yards . He caught 156 touchdown passes and was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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Jefferson still has plenty of runway to reach those milestones, and he'll need substantially better quarterback play if he's going to get there. However, what he's done is why he landed a record new contract , and why he remains the focal point of the Vikings offense.
Minnesota Vikings offense flops in inept victory
Despite Jefferson grabbing the new record on Thursday afternoon, he was able to accumulate just 30 receiving yards . That's better than the four he had during Max Brosmer's first start , but it's reflective of how little the team could muster offensively.
The #Vikings won with three net passing yards, the fewest in a win in team history and the fewest by any team since Oct. 16, 1983, when the Seahawks won with two.
They're also now out of last place in the NFC North; they're tied with the Lions at 8-8, and have a season sweep.— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) December 26, 2025
The former MN Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer still looks the part of an undrafted rookie. While he didn't throw four interceptions this time, the results weren't much better. His 9.0 quarterback rating was a result of 9-for-16 passing and just 51 yards. His seven sacks for negative 47 yards netted Minnesota just three yards passing.
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Kevin O'Connell didn't get much more out of his running game either. Jordan Mason was out, and Aaron Jones missed time during the game trying to get back on the field. Jordan Addison 's 65 yard touchdown run on an end-around nearly outpaced both Jones and fill-in Ty Chandler .
JORDAN ADDISON JINGLE JINGLE ALL THE WAY!
DETvsMIN on @Netflix pic.twitter.com/ZbfwntyT44— NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2025
Like the Vikings 16-13 win over the New York Giants last weekend, this 23-10 victory against Detroit was a result of defensive dominance. Often in positive field position, Will Reichard (who should have been a Pro Bowl selection) continued to bang kicks through.
In total, the outcome is a laughable end for the Detroit Lions playoff hopes. It's also reflective of the talent on a Vikings roster that have overcome so much injury only for quarterback ineptitude to be the thing that ultimately sank them.
Minnesota will host the Green Bay Packers next weekend with a winning record on the line. It's also a chance for Harrison Smith to go out with another strong outing. He had a sack and an interception on Thursday.
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