Lions vs. Vikings: Two must-know storylines for Christmas Day showdown

The Christmas Day combatants might not be home for the holidays, but most of them will be for the playoffs. That doesn't mean there isn't intrigue in the tripleheader, however.

The Washington Commanders and the Dallas Cowboys reignite their rivalry in the first game of the day.

The desperate Detroit Lions, who enter Week 17 with remote playoff odds, face the Vikings in the middle game of the three-game slate. Minnesota is again turning to Max Brosmer (who had four picks in his first start this season) to replace the injured J.J. McCarthy.

The Broncos, who head to Kansas City for the nightcap, are locked in the playoffs, but there's unfinished business with the AFC's top seed theirs for the taking with two more victories. It's also possible that it's Travis Kelce's final home game -- if he retires -- as the Chiefs try to salvage something in a lost season.

Two must-know storylines

1) Brosmer hoping for better results in second start for injured McCarthy

With the hairline fracture in J.J. McCarthy's right wrist, he'll miss Thursday's game and rookie Max Brosmer will earn his second NFL start. Brosmer's goal will be to vastly improve over his first one. Thrust into action against the Seahawks in Week 13, Brosmer had a rough outing with four interceptions, including one run back for a touchdown, in a 26-0 loss to the Seahawks. But Brosmer was sharper in the win over the Giants, replacing McCarthy and completing 7 of 9 passes for 52 yards. Kevin O'Connell said he was especially impressed with Brosmer's 21-yard completion on third- and-17 to help lead the Vikings on the game-winning drive. O'Connell will be looking for Brosmer to stay on schedule and avoid the back-breaking mistakes, likely leaning on the run game more than normal against a beat-up Lions defense. The Vikings have won three straight games coming in but are 5-4 with McCarthy starting and 2-4 with other QBs.

2) Lions defense wants to finish on a high note, with playoff chances fleeting

The Lions know they must win their final two games -- and have the Packers lose two more -- for a holiday playoff miracle to happen. But even if making the postseason remains a pipe dream, they certainly could stand to improve defensively. The past five games especially, the Lions have struggled to stop opponents with a depleted defense, resulting in a 2-3 record down the stretch that has pushed the team to the brink. Opponents have averaged 458.6 yards of offense and 145.4 rushing yards in that span, and the Vikings figure to lean on their run game with the rookie QB under center. Even with J.J. McCarthy starting in the first meeting with the Lions, the Vikings threw for only 116 yards and ran for 142, with Aaron Jones averaging 8.7 yards per carry at Detroit. Jones and Jordan Mason have divided the work this season, but Mason has been ruled out. So, it will be up to Jones, Ty Chandler and Zavier Scott to test a Lions defense that was shredded on the ground Sunday by the Steelers to the tune of 230 yards. The Lions also have some offensive injuries to worry about, so the defense has to be sharper -- especially defending the run -- than it has lately.

Lions' Week 17 injury report

Vikings' Week 17 injury report