E.J. Henderson’s second interception set up Ryan Longwell’s go-ahead 38-yard field goal and the Minnesota Vikings edged the Dallas Cowboys 24-21 on Sunday in what was being dubbed the “Desperation Bowl.”

Adrian Peterson had 73 yards and a touchdown and Percy Harvin returned the second-half kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown as the Vikings (2-3) prevailed in a battle between teams that were thought to be NFC contenders.

Brett Favre finished 14 of 19 for 118 yards and touchdown in his 290th consecutive start for Minnesota, which managed a mere 188 total yards of offense.

Tony Romo threw three touchdowns – two to Roy Williams – but his second interception led to the go-ahead field goal. With the game tied at 21, Henderson picked off Romo’s pass intended for Jason Witten at the Dallas 22 yard-line.

Longwell's field goal gave the Vikings the lead with 4:09 left. Dallas then went three-and-out and never got into position to tie the game on its final possession.

The Cowboys (1-4), a favorite to become the first team to host a Super Bowl, are now in grave danger of missing the playoffs. Since 1990, only five teams have made the playoffs after starting 1-4.

Dallas tied the game at 21 on rookie Dez Bryant’s 31-yard touchdown reception – the first touchdown catch of his career – with 10:25 left.

But the Cowboys couldn't get out of their own way. The Cowboys had 10 penalties for 91 yards, including a pass interference call on Miles Austin in the first half that negated his 68-yard touchdown catch.