Vikings QB Kirk Cousins connects with Kyle Rudolph on Hail Mary
![Portrait of Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/ffe34cb56ef977a1c4cbd74ce3fed0cc352576e6/c=28-112-594-678/local/-/media/2018/12/11/USATODAY/USATODAY/636801411558389729-Michael-Middlehurst-Schwartz.png?width=48&height=48&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings looks to throw the ball in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 23, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan.](/https/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2018/12/23/USAT/cf9b689d-c40b-4388-89f8-26f18f5e7f1c-GTY_1074692028.jpg?width=300&height=450&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The Minnesota Vikings needed a long-shot scoring connection to establish their first lead Sunday against the Detroit Lions.
But quarterback Kirk Cousins found tight end Kyle Rudolph on a 44-yard Hail Mary just before the end of the first half to put Minnesota up 14-9.
Cousins dropped back to buy time for his receivers to get downfield as he faced a four-man rush. After Cousins uncorked a long pass to the end zone, Rudolph plucked the ball over a Lions defender who was draped over him.
Cousins got his first touchdown of the day on the previous drive with an 8-yard connection to wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.
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