(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)DETROIT – Kirk Cousins danced in the end zone after running for a go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter and the Minnesota Vikings went on to celebrate the end of a disappointing season with a 37-35 win over the lowly Detroit Lions on Sunday.
The Vikings (7-9) failed for the fourth time in a decade to make two straight trips to the playoffs.
The Lions (5-11) lost their last four games eight of 10 after going into November with a .500 record under former coach Matt Patricia.
In a matchup without postseason implications, the Vikings and Lions combined to play a closely contested game with a lot of highlights and lowlights.
Alexander Mattison ran for 16 yards to convert a fourth-and-1 from the Lions 25 with 2:28 left, allowing the Vikings to run out the clock to seal the win.