MINNEAPOLIS -- Kirk Cousins connected with a wide-open K.J. Osborn for the go-ahead, 28-yard touchdown with 45 seconds remaining, and the Minnesota Vikings rallied to beat the Detroit Lions 28-24 on Sunday.
Osborn blew by former Vikings cornerback Mike Hughes on a corner route to snag the in-stride pass and cruise across the goal line to give Minnesota (2-1) the lead for the first time.
As Osborn and Justin Jefferson - who was blanketed by rising star Jeff Okudah and had just three catches for 14 yards - flapped their arms to fire up the crowd while standing on the bench, the Vikings didn't let Jared Goff and the Lions cross midfield.
Dalvin Cook rushed for 96 yards and a score before leaving with a shoulder injury for the Vikings, who fell behind 14-0 and 24-14.
Their final push against an extra-aggressive Lions team that frequently sent multiple extra pass rushers at Cousins and went for it six times on fourth down proved to be just enough to give them a winning record at the end of September for the first time since they were 3-0 in 2016.
After going 3-13-1 in coach Dan Campbell's first season, Detroit (1-2) looks like a much more dangerous opponent. The Lions are still seeking their first road win since Dec. 6, 2020, at Chicago, though. Their NFL-record streak of starting a season with a touchdown in 11 straight quarters ended inconveniently in the fourth.
On the Lions' sixth fourth-down attempt of the game, with 1 yard to go from the Vikings 30, Jamaal Williams ran off right tackle and was slammed to a stop for no gain by a swarm of Vikings.
After Minnesota also turned the ball over on downs, a stiffened Vikings defense steered Campbell into calling for a 54-yard field-goal try that Austin Seibert missed with 1:10 left.
That gave the Vikings the ball at their 44 to start the winning drive, and Osborn accounted for all 56 yards. Cousins connected with him on second-and-10 for 28 yards. After a Detroit timeout, he caught the winning score on the next play.
Greg Joseph missed two 56-yard field goal attempts for the Vikings. Seibert had a 48-yarder bounce off the right upright to end Detroit's first drive.
Williams had 20 carries for 87 yards and two touchdowns for the Lions, who gave limited action to D'Andre Swift after he was listed as questionable with an ankle injury.
ST. BROWN SLOWED
Amon-Ra St. Brown's streak of eight straight games with at least eight receptions, tied for the longest in league history, was stopped. His run began last Dec. 5 in the win over Minnesota. St. Brown had six catches for 73 yards. T.J. Hockenson caught Goff's only touchdown pass.
THIELEN IT
With his 1-yard catch that put the Vikings on the board midway through the second quarter, Adam Thielen became the fourth undrafted player since the Super Bowl era began in 1967 to reach 50 career touchdown receptions. Antonio Gates, Rod Smith and Wes Welker were the others.
Thielen gave Amani Oruwariye all kinds of trouble. The Lions cornerback was called for six penalties. One was declined after a 15-yard catch by Thielen right after the fourth-down stop on Williams. Oruwariye appeared to get away with another one, when a fourth-and-8 throw by Cousins to the sideline was off target after Thielen was entangled with his defender and then angrily argued for a call to the official.
INJURY REPORT
Lions: S Tracy Walker (ankle) left on a cart in the first quarter and didn't return. ... With LG Jonah Jackson (finger) out for a second straight game, Dan Skipper started in his place. Logan Stenberg was benched at RG for Evan Brown. C Frank Ragnow returned after missing last week with a toe injury. Another would-be starter, RG Halapoulivaati Vaitai (back), has not played yet this season.
Vikings: S Harrison Smith (concussion) was held out, giving Josh Metellus his first career start. He intercepted a desperation heave by Goff at the 5-yard line to seal it with 9 seconds left.
UP NEXT
Lions: Host Seattle next Sunday. The Lions have lost four straight games to the Seahawks. Their last win was in the series was 10 years ago in Detroit.
Vikings: Travel to London to play New Orleans next Sunday, the first of five international games on the NFL schedule. This one is considered a home game for the Saints.
Vikings get big 4th down stop
Inside Vikings territory with less than 4 minutes left, the Lions elected to go for it on 4th and 1. The defense earned a big stop, stuffing Jamaal Williams short and giving the ball back to the Vikings' offense.
The Lions lead 24-21 in the waning minutes.
Alexander Mattison scores, Vikings trail 24-21
With Dalvin Cook injured, his replacement Alexander Mattison scored to bring the Vikings within three points.
About halfway through the fourth quarter, the Lions lead 24-21.
Vikings rule out Dalvin Cook with shoulder injury
The Vikings announced running back Dalvin Cook will miss the rest of Sunday's game with a shoulder injury.
The injury occurred on a late third quarter play during which Cook also fumbled.
Dalvin Cook fumbles, Lions recover
Dalvin Cook, who had been one of the bright spots on the Vikings offense on Sunday, fumbled late in the third quarter, giving the Lions the ball back on a short field.
The Vikings defense held firm, forcing the Lions into a 4th and long as the fourth quarter begins.
Lions take 24-14 lead on Williams' 2nd TD
A missed Greg Joseph field goal and another Jamaal Williams touchdown puts the Lions up 24-14 late in the third quarter.
Lions take 17-14 lead in third quarter
Midway through the third quarter, the Lions took the lead on a 40-yard field goal. Detroit is up 17-14.
Dalvin Cook TD ties game at 14
The Vikings have erased a two-score deficit to tie the Lions 14-14 in the second quarter.
After a big fourth down conversion on an Adam Thielen catch, Dalvin Cook ran in the tying score.
Adam Thielen TD cuts Lions' lead to 7
A wide-open Adam Thielen caught a pass from Kirk Cousins in the back of the end zone to cut the Lions' lead to 14-7.
It was Thielen's 50th career touchdown.
Lions up 14-0 after T.J. Hockenson touchdown
Early in the second quarter, the Lions hold a two touchdown lead over the Vikings after a short score by tight end T.J. Hockenson.
Lions take 7-0 lead on Jamaal Williams TD
A big 4th down catch and run from Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown set the Lions up at the goal line.
One play later, running back Jamaal Williams plunged into the end zone for a touchdown. The Lions lead the Vikings 7-0 midway through the first quarter.
Greg Joseph misses 56-yard FG for Vikings
After the Lions missed an opening drive field goal, the Vikings returned the favor with a missed 56-yarder of their own. Kicker Greg Joseph hooked the kick wide right.
Lions miss opening drive FG
After marching down the field on their opening drive with a couple of big pass plays, Lions kicker Austin Seibert hit the upright on a 48-yard field goal attempt.
Vikings announce inactive players for Lions game
The Vikings have announced seven players are inactive for Sunday's game against the Lions, including starting safety Harrison Smith and second-round rookie cornerback Andrew Booth Jr.
Linebacker Eric Kendricks was previously listed as questionable with a toe injury, but will be active for the game.
Safety Harrison Smith ruled out for Sunday's matchup
The Minnesota Vikings will be without star veteran safety Harrison Smith for Sunday's divisional matchup against the Detroit Lions.
Smith suffered a concussion in the team's blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday and had been questionable to return. Friday's report confirmed that he's ruled out.
The report also confirmed that the team's rookie second-round cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. will miss his second straight game with a quad injury.
Veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks is questionable with a toe injury.
On the Lions' side, defensive end John Cominsky and guard Jonah Jackson have been ruled out with a wrist and finger injury, respectively.
Four other Detroit players are questionable: tight end T.J. Hockenson, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, center Frank Ragnow and running back D'Andre Swift.
Both teams are 1-1. The game kicks off at 12 p.m. Sunday.
Slow Cook: Vikings star RB out of rhythm in lopsided loss
The Minnesota Vikings rarely strayed from a commitment to rushing over the last five years since Dalvin Cook was drafted. The signs of a philosophy shift have been apparent with the arrival of Kevin O'Connell a coach. Cook has 26 attempts for 107 yards in two games. He's tied for second on the team with seven catches. But it's been a quiet start. Cook's lack of involvement in the 24-7 loss at Philadelphia on Monday was partly situational. Still, the Vikings have the second-highest rate of passing plays on first down in the league.
