The Week 17 Christmas slate of game switches over to Amazon Prime for the third game of the day. The Denver Broncos are visiting the Kansas City Chiefs in primetime. This is another division game that should have meant more than it does, but Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL and the Chiefs were eliminated from the playoffs. The Broncos were on an 11-game winnings streak until they lost to the Jaguars last week in a big AFC game.
Matchup: Denver Broncos (12-3) vs Kansas City Chiefs (6-9)
Date/Time: Thursday, December 25 | 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City, MO
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Detroit Lions have gifted the division rival Green Bay Packers a spot in the playoffs.
With six turnovers in a 23-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, Detroit was eliminated from postseason contention — clinching at least a wild-card berth for Green Bay.
After taking the past two NFC North 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 a sloppy performance unfit for the NFL’s Christmas Day showcase.
Jared Goff was charged with three lost fumbles, twice on errant snaps by backup center Kingsley Eguakun, and threw two interceptions after just six giveaways over the first 15 games this season. The Lions entered the week with only eight turnovers, the fewest in the league.
The NFL on Christmas Day delivers an AFC West rivalry matchup unlike any seen in the last decade, as the Denver Broncos (12-3) travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs (6-9) at Arrowhead Stadium.
In a stunning reversal of roles, the Broncos enter as the dominant force, aiming to secure the AFC West title and remain firmly in the driver’s seat for the conference’s crucial No. 1 overall seed and the coveted first-round bye. With the Los Angeles Chargers breathing down their necks, a victory over the crippled Chiefs would officially clinch the AFC West for Denver, ending Kansas City’s unprecedented nine-year reign as division champions and marking this holiday game as perhaps the most significant in Denver’s last ten years.
For the three-time defending AFC Champion Chiefs, this prime-time holiday slot is a bittersweet stage for an unfamiliar role. Having already been officially eliminated from playoff contention for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, the Chiefs have seen their season completely unravel, suffering a losing record for the first time since 2012. The franchise is currently battling devastating injuries, with Mahomes and his backup Gardner Minshew both sidelined by ACL injuries, leaving the offense to be managed by third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun. The team that was once the gatekeeper of the AFC has become a hollow shell of its dynasty self.
The stark contrast in stakes presents a unique challenge to the streaking Broncos, who must overcome a late-season loss to the Jaguars that snapped their 11-game winning streak. Head Coach Sean Payton is stressing focus, emphasizing that despite the Chiefs’ struggles, a division title and the No. 1 seed are still their stated goals. A win in Kansas City, where the Broncos have historically struggled, would not only solidify their resurgence but would also serve as the ceremonial passing of the torch, ushering in a new era of dominance in the AFC West.
This Christmas night contest marks a seismic shift in the AFC power structure. What was once the annual, late-season coronation of the Chiefs is now the potential crowning moment for the Broncos — a team ready to reclaim the top spot in the AFC West and send a clear message to the rest of the conference.
The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for Chiefs vs. Broncos on Christmas. Follow below for complete results from the NFL Week 17 prime-time game.
7:38 p.m.: This is the last “Thursday Night Football” of the season, with Kirk Herbstreit and Al Michaels have the call one last time at Arrowhead Stadium.
Last season in Arrowhead Stadium, Bo Nix and the Broncos drove into range of a game-winning field goal, but it was blocked and the Chiefs held on to advance to 9-0.
The Chiefs and Broncos will be on Prime Video on Thursday night. Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (color commentator) will be on the call, with Kaylee Hartung on the sidelines.
Sometimes, when the offense is struggling, the defense needs to pick them up. On Christmas Day at U.S. Bank Stadium, the Minnesota Vikings’ defense not only picked up the offense, but they also carried them all the way into 2026 with some serious momentum.
Minnesota’s defense forced six turnovers from a Detroit Lions’ offense that had only had eight in their previous fifteen games this season, and Jordan Addison’s late touchdown sprint sealed the deal as the Vikings pulled off their second upset of the Detroit Lions of the season, taking a 23-10 victory at U.S. Bank Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
The first big play of the game came from the Minnesota defense, as Lions’ quarterback Jared Goff mishandled a snap deep in Detroit territory, and Andrew Van Ginkel fell on the fumble to give the Vikings’ offense the football inside the Detroit red zone late in the first quarter.
The Vikings’ offense took advantage of the short field, as Aaron Jones, who has been playing through a number of injuries, took a handoff on third-and-goal and went into the end zone from a yard out to give the Vikings a 7-0 lead with just under two minutes left in the first quarter.
The Lions then turned the ball over on their next possession as well, as Eric Wilson stripped the ball away from Jahmyr Gibbs, with Byron Murphy falling on the loose ball for another Detroit turnover.
The Vikings could not take advantage of that turnover, however, and wound up giving Detroit the ball back after a punt. The Lions then pushed into Minnesota territory and almost turned the ball over on downs on a 4th-and-1 play from the Minnesota 3-yard line, but David Montgomery just got the ball past the line to gain when Dan Campbell elected to go for it.
Detroit then found themselves facing fourth-and-goal again, and Dan Campbell once again kept the offense on the field. Goff then did something that no quarterback had done since Week 10: Threw a touchdown pass against the Minnesota defense. He found Isaac Teslaa in the back of the end zone for a 4-yard score, and the game was tied at 7-7 with just over a minute left before halftime. That’s how they went into the locker room after Max Brosmer was sacked for the fourth time in the first half.
Minnesota’s defense came up big again early in the third quarter, as Murphy intercepted Goff for the Vikings’ third turnover of the day.
The Vikings converted that turnover into the first field goal of the day for Will Reichard, who connected from 52 yards out to give the Vikings the lead back at 10-7 with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter. And on the Lions’ next offensive play, the Minnesota defense got Goff again, as the ageless Harrison Smith picked off Goff again for Detroit’s fourth turnover of the game.
We are so incredibly lucky to get to witness @HarriSmith22 play football.
Unfortunately for the Vikings, they had to settle for another Reichard field goal, as he connected from 56 yards out to make it 13-7.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, the Vikings’ defense did it again, as Goff got himself sandwiched between Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner and fumbled the ball away with Jalen Redmond recovering for a fifth turnover for Minnesota’s defense.
Detroit got back to within three points with just under five minutes left in regulation, as Jake Bates connected on a 48-yard field goal to cut the gap to 13-10. The Vikings got the ball back, and after a short run on first down, the Vikings got a huge rushing play from an unlikely source, as Jordan Addison took an end-around handoff from Brosmer and streaked untouched 65 yards for a touchdown to make it 20-10 with just under four minutes left.
On the ensuing drive, the Lions then had a sixth turnover when a shotgun snap went over Goff’s head, and he lost a race to the ball to Van Ginkel for another takeaway for Minnesota’s defense.
After that, the Vikings got into position for another Reichard field goal, this one a 42-yarder to increase the lead to 23-10 with just over a minute left to play. The Lions couldn’t generate any more points, and that’s how the score stood when the final gun went off.
The victory for the Vikings is their fourth in a row and got their record back to .500 at 8-8. The loss also drops Detroit to 8-8 on the season and officially elminates them from postseason contention. It also means that the Vikings have, indirectly, put their rivals from Green Bay into the playoffs, as Detroit’s loss has secured a playoff spot for the Packers, who now have nothing to play for when they come to U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 18 to finish the regular season.
The Minnesota Vikings, for the second time in this 2025 season, have upset the Detroit Lions as a significant underdog, emerging victorious on Christmas Day by a final score of 23-10. Thank you to everyone who got their coverage of today’s game during this short week right here at The Daily Norseman, and we want to once again wish everyone out there a Merry Christmas!
Anthony Davis is sidelined again with another injury.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / Reuters
Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis left Thursday’s Christmas matchup against the Golden State Warriors with a groin injury.
Davis ran to the sideline at the conclusion of a play in the first half and didn’t return to the floor. The Mavericks ruled him out at halftime with right-groin spasms.
The severity of the injury was not initially clear.
Davis tallied 3 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 steal before he left the game. The Warriors extended a 40-36 second-quarter lead to 71-58 at halftime after his exit. Golden State went on to a 126-116 win.
Another injury for Davis
This injury for the 32-year-old Davis is the latest in a season and a career filled with them. Davis missed 14 consecutive games early in the season with a calf strain. He’s now missed 14 or more games in 11 of his 14 NBA seasons.
The Mavericks acquired Davis as the centerpiece of the return in the trade that sent franchise cornerstone and perennial All-NBA guard Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in his prime at 25 years old. They were aware of Davis’ injury history when they acquired him.
Davis missed 24 of a possible 33 games with the Mavericks last season due to injury following the midseason trade. He’s missed 16 of 31 games this season and now appears to be in line to miss more time. The Mavericks dropped to 12-20 with Thursday’s loss, good for 11th place in the Western Conference.
A timeline for Davis’ return isn’t immediately clear.
Anthony Davis is sidelined again with another injury.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / Reuters
Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis left Thursday’s Christmas matchup against the Golden State Warriors with a groin injury.
Davis ran to the sideline at the conclusion of a play in the first half and didn’t return to the floor. The Mavericks ruled him out at halftime with right-groin spasms.
The severity of the injury was not initially clear.
Davis tallied 3 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 steal before he left the game. The Warriors extended a 40-36 second-quarter lead to 71-58 at halftime after his exit. Golden State went on to a 126-116 win.
Another injury for Davis
This injury for the 32-year-old Davis is the latest in a season and a career filled with them. Davis missed 14 consecutive games early in the season with a calf strain. He’s now missed 14 or more games in 11 of his 14 NBA seasons.
The Mavericks acquired Davis as the centerpiece of the return in the trade that sent franchise cornerstone and perennial All-NBA guard Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in his prime at 25 years old. They were aware of Davis’ injury history when they acquired him.
Davis missed 24 of a possible 33 games with the Mavericks last season due to injury following the midseason trade. He’s missed 16 of 31 games this season and now appears to be in line to miss more time. The Mavericks dropped to 12-20 with Thursday’s loss, good for 11th place in the Western Conference.
A timeline for Davis’ return isn’t immediately clear.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – DECEMBER 25: De’Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on December, 25, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images
De’Aaron Fox scored 29 points, and the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-102 on Thursday for their third win over the defending NBA champs in the past two weeks.
The Spurs also defeated the Thunder in an NBA Cup semifinal on Dec. 13 and in San Antonio on Tuesday. The teams meet again on Jan. 13 in Oklahoma City.
Victor Wembanyama had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Stephon Castle had 19 points and seven assists for the Spurs (23-7). San Antonio shot 53.6% from the field and held the Thunder to 38.9% shooting.
It was San Antonio’s eighth straight win and Oklahoma City’s second home loss of the season. The Thunder entered the day at the top of the Western Conference standings, with the Spurs in second.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 22 points, but the reigning league MVP made just 7 of 19 field goals. He scored at least 20 points for the 102nd consecutive game.
Isaiah Hartenstein had 13 points and 12 rebounds and Chet Holmgren added 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Thunder.
Oklahoma City started the season 24-1, tied for the league’s best record through 25 games. The Thunder are 2-4 since, including the three losses to the Spurs.
The Thunder made their first seven field goals and went up 18-12 before Fox helped the Spurs fight back. His 21 points in the first half helped San Antonio head into the break with a 69-60 lead.
The Spurs pushed the lead to 85-68 midway through the third quarter, and a dunk by Dylan Harper late in the third quarter put the Spurs up 91-74. The Spurs led 95-79 at the end of the period and maintained control from there.
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-102 on Christmas Day in a hotly contested battle between the top two teams in the West — their third meeting in less than two weeks.
Veteran guard De’Aaron Fox led the way with 29 points on an efficient 12-for-19 shooting. Backcourt mate Stephon Castle added 19 points of his own, with Victor Wembanyama chipping in 19 points and 11 rebounds from the bench. Harrison Barnes and Dylan Harper combined for 27 points and nine rebounds.
Leading up to Thursday afternoon, the biggest storyline surrounding this matchup was whether the Spurs, having beaten the Thunder twice this season, were worthy of the “rival” label. But on an afternoon when San Antonio used a 17-4 run to eliminate an early eight-point deficit, took complete control of the game, and limited Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 22 points on 19 shots for their third win over the champs inside of two weeks, it’s nearly impossible to shake the label now.
Jalen Williams finished the game with 12 points and six assists, Chet Holmgren had 10 and starting center Isaiah Hartenstein added 13 points and 12 rebounds. No other Thunder teammate finished with more than 12 points.
With the win, the Spurs have now won eight straight (not including the NBA Cup Final), firmly cementing them as the second -best team in the West — and true contenders heading into the new year.
San Antonio’s continued insistence on bringing Wembanyama off the bench has proven to be a tactical advantage, allowing their array of physical guards to set the tone before introducing the 7-foot-5 Frenchman. Oklahoma City found it difficult to find a suitable defensive approach to keep the Spurs out of the paint, despite an aggressive 2-3 zone. At the other end, Wemby’s presence forced the Thunder away from the rim but couldn’t convert on many of their open looks, shooting just 25 percent from deep. Key reserve Alex Caruso, who is shooting just 32 percent from 3 this year, missed 10 of 12 of his long-range shots.
The Thunder, who have now lost four out of six, must regroup quickly in their upcoming homestand against the 76ers, Hawks and Blazers to close 2025. Their next chance at a rematch with San Antonio will be Jan. 13.
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-102 on Christmas Day in a hotly contested battle between the top two teams in the West — their third meeting in less than two weeks.
Veteran guard De’Aaron Fox led the way with 29 points on an efficient 12-for-19 shooting. Backcourt mate Stephon Castle added 19 points of his own, with Victor Wembanyama chipping in 19 points and 11 rebounds from the bench. Harrison Barnes and Dylan Harper combined for 27 points and nine rebounds.
Leading up to Thursday afternoon, the biggest storyline surrounding this matchup was whether the Spurs, having beaten the Thunder twice this season, were worthy of the “rival” label. But on an afternoon when San Antonio used a 17-4 run to eliminate an early eight-point deficit, took complete control of the game, and limited Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 22 points on 19 shots for their third win over the champs inside of two weeks, it’s nearly impossible to shake the label now.
Jalen Williams finished the game with 12 points and six assists, Chet Holmgren had 10 and starting center Isaiah Hartenstein added 13 points and 12 rebounds. No other Thunder teammate finished with more than 12 points.
With the win, the Spurs have now won eight straight (not including the NBA Cup Final), firmly cementing them as the second -best team in the West — and true contenders heading into the new year.
San Antonio’s continued insistence on bringing Wembanyama off the bench has proven to be a tactical advantage, allowing their array of physical guards to set the tone before introducing the 7-foot-5 Frenchman. Oklahoma City found it difficult to find a suitable defensive approach to keep the Spurs out of the paint, despite an aggressive 2-3 zone. At the other end, Wemby’s presence forced the Thunder away from the rim but couldn’t convert on many of their open looks, shooting just 25 percent from deep. Key reserve Alex Caruso, who is shooting just 32 percent from 3 this year, missed 10 of 12 of his long-range shots.
The Thunder, who have now lost four out of six, must regroup quickly in their upcoming homestand against the 76ers, Hawks and Blazers to close 2025. Their next chance at a rematch with San Antonio will be Jan. 13.
Jalen Brunson scored 34 points, reserve Jordan Clarkson had 25 and the New York Knicks came from 17 down in the fourth quarter to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-124 on Thursday and win on Christmas Day for the third straight year.
Reserves Tyler Kolek and Mitchell Robinson sparked the comeback after the Cavaliers led 103-86 early in the final period. Kolek had 16 points and nine assists, and had fans chanting his name after a late block on Donovan Mitchell that originally was called a foul but was overturned on review. Robinson hustled after offensive rebounds to keep possessions alive and finished with 13 boards.
Brunson made the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:05 remaining, after he, Kolek and Clarkson all hit from behind the arc in a 13-2 run that cut Cleveland’s 12-point lead to 111-110.
Mitchell had 34 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Darius Garland added 20 points and 10 assists, but the Cavaliers blew their chance at a third straight win.
The Cavs raced to an 18-3 lead behind 10 points from Mitchell and led 38-23 after one quarter. But Clarkson opened the second with consecutive 3-pointers, and after a Cavs 3-pointer, the Knicks ripped off an 18-0 burst to take a 47-41 lead.
The Knicks made 12 of their first 14 shots in the second, before Mobley had Cleveland’s final four baskets as New York took a 60-58 edge into the break.
Cleveland quickly regained control in the third. Mitchell slammed down a lob pass that Garland threw from beyond halfcourt to cap a 10-3 burst to open the period, and Mitchell later hit a 3-pointer to cap an 18-4 spurt that turned a 71-all tie into an 89-75 advantage for the Cavs.
