BY OSABUOHIEN VIVIAN-ROSE
From pivotal NFL moments on Christmas night to celebrity investment moves across the Atlantic, Thursday’s sports and business headlines delivered a blend of on-field drama and off-field intrigue, highlighting standout performances, strategic dominance, and growing global interest in professional sports franchises.
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA — Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. powered into the end zone during the first quarter, finishing through contact from Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, as the Vikings set the early tone in their matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Bo Nix delivered a clutch performance late, firing a 1-yard touchdown pass to RJ Harvey with 1:45 remaining as the Denver Broncos controlled possession and defeated the host Kansas City Chiefs 20–13 on Thursday night.
Nix completed 26 of 38 passes for 182 yards, throwing one interception while adding 42 rushing yards and a touchdown on nine carries. Denver (13–3) dominated time of possession for 39 minutes and 28 seconds, limiting Kansas City (6–10) to just 42 offensive plays and 139 total yards in the Christmas night contest. The victory marked Denver’s 12th win in its last 13 games, strengthening its push toward the postseason.
Lifestyle icon and businesswoman Martha Stewart has expanded her sports portfolio by becoming a co-owner of Welsh football club Swansea City, the club announced. Stewart joins a growing list of high-profile investors at Swansea, including her longtime friend and collaborator, rapper Snoop Dogg, as the Championship side continues to attract global celebrity interest.
Denver maintained possession of the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff chase over the New England Patriots (12-3). Denver will clinch its first AFC West title since 2015 if the Los Angeles Chargers (11-4) lose to the Houston Texans on Saturday.
Chris Oladokun completed 13 of 22 passes for 66 yards and one touchdown in his first NFL start with Patrick Mahomes (knee) and Gardner Minshew (lower leg) both done for the season. Travis Kelce caught five passes for 36 yards in what might have been his final home game for the Chiefs.
Jordan Addison broke free for a 65-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter, and Minnesota pulled away for a win over eliminated Detroit in Minneapolis.
Aaron Jones Sr. also rushed for a touchdown for Minnesota (8-8), which won its fourth game in a row. Max Brosmer completed 9 of 16 passes for 51 yards in place of No. 1 quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who missed the game because of a hairline fracture in his right hand.
Jared Goff completed 18 of 29 passes for 197 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for Detroit (8-8). The loss removed the Lions from playoff contention and secured a postseason berth for the Green Bay Packers.
Cowboys 30, Commanders 23
Dak Prescott completed 19 of 37 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns, and Dallas held off Washington in Landover, Md.
The Cowboys rushed for 211 yards, including 103 by Malik Davis, and KaVontae Turpin scored an 86-yard receiving touchdown to help Dallas (7-8-1) snap a three-game losing streak.
Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries for the Commanders (4-12). Josh Johnson, 39, Washington’s third-string quarterback, completed 15 of 23 passes for 198 yards in his 10th NFL start.
