Lions eliminated after Goff's uncharacteristic giveaways in loss that sends Packers to playoffs

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions formally gifted the division rival Green Bay Packers a spot in the playoffs, with six turnovers that sealed their fate in a loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Detroit's grip on the NFC North, though, had been slipping all season.

With their 23-10 loss to the Vikings on Thursday, when Goff threw two interceptions and was charged with three lost fumbles, the Lions were eliminated from postseason contention — clinching at least a wild-card berth for the Packers.

“We’ll reflect on the whole season after next week,” Goff said, “but, yeah, it sucks.”

After taking the past two division titles, reaching the conference championship game after the first one and posting a franchise-record 15 wins for the second one, the Lions (8-8) lost their third straight game in an uncharacteristically sloppy performance unfit for the NFL's Christmas Day showcase. The Lions entered with only eight turnovers, the fewest in the league.

“Something we’ve been really good at all year,” said Goff, who had just six giveaways over the first 15 games and nearly matched that previous season total on Thursday with the five turnovers that matched the most of his career.

Two of Goff’s lost fumbles came from errant snaps by backup center Kingsley Eguakun. Jahmyr Gibbs lost one at the end of a run past midfield early in the second quarter. Goff was picked off by cornerback Byron Murphy and safety Harrison Smith in the third quarter. His only other five-turnover game in 10 seasons in the league was last year at Houston, when he had five interceptions in a 26-23 win in Week 10.

Goff, who is third in the league in passer rating and second in passing yards and passing touchdowns, went 18 for 29 for 197 yards and one touchdown to Isaac TeSlaa.

“They had a good plan and exploited some things on us and were able to get after us, adding an extra rusher a lot of time,” Goff said. “We had a plan that we thought would attack that. It didn’t work well.”

The previous time Detroit had a six-turnover game was in 2015 in a 42-17 loss to Arizona, according to Sportradar data. The minus-6 turnover margin was the worst in the NFL this season and tied with five other teams for the worst in any game in the league in the past nine years.

The Vikings had five sacks and frequently pressured Goff on plays when they didn't take him down.

“Anytime he’s not able to step in the throw, it’s going to be hard for him,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “That’s where he’s at his best, obviously, in the pocket. If he’s not able to at least hit that back foot and step into it, it makes it pretty difficult. That defense puts a lot on you, and it was a short week, and they really did a lot. They went all out."

The rushing attack that fueled the Lions the past two years has lagged all season, and this was the game they needed it the most, with Gibbs and David Montgomery combining for just 66 yards on 27 carries behind a struggling offensive line.

The Lions lost two starters from last year's group who haven't been adequately replaced, and left tackle Taylor Decker was out on Thursday with a shoulder injury.

After the Lions stalled out near the goal line last week in their 29-24 loss at home to Pittsburgh put them on the brink, the turnovers in Minnesota finished them off.

“The effort's there,” Campbell said. “We’re just a little off here, and it’s costing us significantly.”

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Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff speaks in a news conference after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff walks off the field after the team's loss to the Minnesota Vikings in an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, center, is sacked by Minnesota Vikings linebackers Andrew van Ginkel, second from left, and Dallas Turner, right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew van Ginkel, right, recovers a fumble by Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, left, speaks with head coach Dan Campbell during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Claudia Martínez scored her second consecutive game-winning goal to lift the visiting Washington Spirit over the Seattle Reign 1-0 on Sunday.

In other National Women's Soccer League matches, host Kansas City beat the Chicago Stars 3-0, and Bay FC played to a scoreless draw with the Utah Royals.

In the 47th minute, the Spirit successfully defended a Reign corner kick, but Trinity Rodman went down favoring her right ankle. Although Rodman came back into the match, she was later subbed off in the 56th minute.

In the 84th minute, Gabrielle Carle delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, finding Martínez for the game’s only goal.

Goalkeeper Sandy MacIver recorded three saves to earn her fifth clean sheet of the season. The Spirit (5-1-3) have won five straight games and are unbeaten in their last eight.

The Seattle Reign (3-3-2) have not scored in 409 minutes and are winless in their last four games.

Reigning two-time NWSL MVP Temwa Chawinga scored three goals against the Stars for the Current's first regular-season hat trick.

Off a deflection from defender Sam Staab and an assist from Croix Bethune, Chawinga opened up scoring for the Current (4-4-0) in the 22nd minute.

Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher attempted to cut off a cross, but the rebound landed in the path of Chawinga in the 47th for the brace. Two minutes later, Michelle Cooper’s short lofted pass found Chawinga and she completed the hat trick.

Current goalkeeper Lorena made three saves for her first clean sheet of the season.

It was Chawinga's first hat trick and the first of the 2026 NWSL season.

The Chicago Stars (2-7-0) have lost three straight.

With a scoreless draw at Bay FC, the Utah Royals extended their shutout streak to five games.

Utah captain Paige Cronin had two chances on breakaways in the 68th and 89th minutes, but both were denied by Bay goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz. Meanwhile, Royals goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn recorded a save to preserve the clean sheet.

Bay FC (3-3-1) earned its second straight shutout.

The Royals (5-2-2) had their five-match winning streak halted. However, their shutout streak continued at 468 minutes.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

FILE - Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga in action against Gotham FC during an NWSL soccer match, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann,File)