MINNEAPOLIS — Gifts are nice and all, but there's nothing quite like a takeaway — or six!

The Vikings recorded that many Thursday against the Lions in a Scrooge-like performance by Minnesota's defense in a 23-10 victory against a vaunted Detroit offense.

The first takeaway occurred when Andrew Van Ginkel pounced on a snap fumbled by Jared Goff at the Detroit 16-yard line with 3:42 remaining in the first quarter.

Minnesota's offense took advantage of the field position, leaning on four runs by Aaron Jones, Sr., including a 1-yard TD run on third-and-goal.

The second occurred when Eric Wilson and Blake Cashman rallied to the football, stuffing Jahmyr Gibbs for a gain of 1 before Wilson pried the football from the running back. Byron Murphy, Jr., recovered the pigskin near midfield.

Minnesota's third takeaway was a great interception by Murphy for his second pick in as many weeks. Murphy undercut a desperation heave by Goff toward Isaac TeSlaa on a third-and-16. Murphy secured the football at the Minnesota 38 and was ruled down by contact.

The Vikings offense added a 52-yard field goal by Will Reichard to make it 10-7 with 3:03 left in the third quarter.

Harrison Smith intercepted Goff on the Lions next offensive snap for Minnesota's fourth takeaway, reading what Goff wanted to do like a short wish list for his 39^th career interception.

Reichard followed with a 56-yard field goal for a 13-7 lead with 1:57 remaining in the third quarter.

Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner met at Goff with Van Ginkel forcing a fumble that Jalen Redmond recovered on the first play of the fourth quarter.

The teams swapped a couple of punts before a Detroit field goal made it 13-10 with 4:39 remaining.

Minnesota's offense answered with a 65-yard touchdown run by Jordan Addison to make it 20-10 with 3:43 remaining.

Van Ginkel recovered a fumbled snap near midfield on Detroit's next possession for Minnesota's sixth takeaway, and the Vikings added another three from Reichard.

The Lions entered the Christmas Day contest leading the league with only eight giveaways through its first 15 games.

Minnesota scored 16 points off the six takeaways and did not turn the football over to secure its fourth consecutive victory, improve to 8-8 on the season and eliminate the Lions from postseason contention.

Here are four more observations.

1. The Hitman with an all-arounder in 202^nd start

Smith made his 202^nd start, moving past Pro Football Hall of Famer Carl Eller for third in Vikings history, and he got involved early.

Smith blitzed on his third snap of the game and dropped Goff for a loss of 7 to create a third-and-13 and force a quick punt by Detroit.

Smith also broke up a pass at the line of scrimmage and quickly diagnosed a pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown for a loss of 5 on the same possession in the second quarter.

The Lions, however, converted third-and-9 on the snap after the PB with a 13-yard pass to St. Brown and third-and-15 with a gain of 23 to St. Brown (thanks to a scramble by Goff) after the TFL.

Smith was fanned by teammates on the Vikings sideline after his interception and received a standing ovation from the Winter Whiteout crowd.

He finished his 206^th career game with three tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, the interception and three pass breakups.

Only Jim Marshall (270) and Mick Tingelhoff (240) have made more regular-season starts for the Vikings than Smith.

2. Jordan Addison breaks free

The atmosphere of the game was electric throughout the night, but there was some tension once Detroit made it 13-10 with under five minutes remaining.

Minnesota's first run on the following possession by Jones gained 0 as he gritted out another game.

With Jones banged up and backups along the offensive line and Max Brosmer making his second career start, the Vikings needed a spark.

After a timeout by Brosmer, the Vikings called a jet sweep to Addison, and the receiver shifted gears as he turned the corner, reaching a max speed of 21.11 miles per hour during a career long run.

3. Jefferson sets yardage record

Justin Jefferson added another record to his tally late when he secured a 10-yard reception on third-and-5 to set up the final field goal.

Jefferson pushed his receiving yardage total for the night to 30. He entered the game needing 27 to top the record for a player's first six NFL seasons that Randy Moss set in Purple (8,375 from 1998-2003).

4. And a record for Reichard, to boot

Reichard also etched his name yet again in Vikings history with his 10^th and 11^th field goals this season from 50-plus yards.

He tied and then broke the previous record of 10 in a season by Blair Walsh.

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