Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., left, intercepts a pass intended for Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac Teslaa during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

MINNEAPOLIS — Harrison Smith reveled in his moment with the roaring Minnesota crowd, blowing kisses during an extended showing on the videoboard near the end of one of his best games in a 14-year career.

The Vikings had a blast, even if their season is over next week. Smith, well, was flying around the field like a kid on Christmas.

Jordan Addison took a jet sweep handoff 65 yards for the game-sealing touchdown with 3:43 left after the Vikings forced six turnovers and eliminated the Detroit Lions from contention for the playoffs with a 23-10 victory on Thursday.

Smith, the six-time Pro Bowl safety, had one of the two interceptions and one of the five sacks of Jared Goff as the Vikings (8-8) won their fourth straight game. Smith also had three pass deflections, two tackles for loss and one quarterback hit.

“When you can get out there with a defense like that and a play-caller like that, it’s just fun. I don’t care what day it is. I don’t care what’s on the line. I don’t care what’s at stake. We play a really aggressive style of football that I absolutely love,” said Smith, who was not ready to discuss his feelings about returning to play in 2026.

Goff was charged with three lost fumbles, once on a sack and twice on errant snaps by backup center Kingsley Eguakun.

With the third straight loss for the Lions (8-8), the Green Bay Packers clinched at least a wild-card spot and could still catch the Chicago Bears for the NFC North title that went to Detroit the past two seasons and Minnesota the year before that.

“The story of the game is turnovers,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “You can’t turn the ball over six times and win in this league.”

The Lions and Vikings combined for 29 wins last season, making this an attractive matchup for the NFL’s three-game Christmas Day showcase before injuries and other assorted setbacks turned them into also-rans in the top-heavy NFC.

Prescott leads Dallas

LANDOVER, Md. — The Dallas Cowboys had every excuse for starting the game with a thud. Instead, they roared out in front and made the most of a road trip on Christmas Day.

Dak Prescott threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns, and the Cowboys took control at the outset against Washington by reaching the end zone in each of their first three possessions in a 30-23 victory Thursday.

Both teams were previously eliminated from playoff contention, which severely lessened the significance of this matchup between longtime NFC East rivals.

But you couldn’t tell that to the Cowboys (7-8-1), who raced to a 21-3 lead.

“It was huge,” Prescott said. “Not playing for anything, you want to get on top and not give them any hope. It’s important to make them play from behind, but we’ve got to do a better job of finishing.”

Indeed, the Commanders (4-12) cut the gap to a touchdown on three different occasions. But they couldn’t complete the comeback and absorbed their 10th loss in 11 games.

Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer was absolutely certain his team wouldn’t be flat. Not after losing three straight and not with a .500 season still possible.

“I never worry about these guys’ effort. I really don’t,” he said. “These guys are built different, man. I had no question we would come out and play hard. I thought we were hitting on all cylinders offensively early on.”

Broncos triumph

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Bo Nix ran for a score before throwing a go-ahead touchdown pass to R.J. Harvey with 1:45 left in the game, and the Denver Broncos held on in the closing seconds for a 20-13 victory over the banged-up Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night.

Nix finished with 182 yards passing as the Broncos (13-3) bounced back from last week’s disheartening loss to Jacksonville and took another big step toward the AFC West title and perhaps the No. 1 seed and first-round playoff bye.

The Broncos can clinch the division on Saturday if the Chargers lose their game against Houston.