Vikings QB Kirk Cousins connects with Kyle Rudolph on Hail Mary

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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