But they may count the cost of the historic win, with playmaker Carter Gordon injuring his right knee in Saturday night's clash at Suncorp Stadium.
The Wallabies' No.10 contender left the field in the 44th minute after coming off second best from a tackle, and he was later walking around on crutches with his knee in a brace.
Gordon's loss would be significant for Queensland (5-3) as they push for a finals spot with their next three games against top-four sides.
"I just had a chat with him (Gordon), and he said he just felt something after he got out of the contact," coach Les Kiss told Stan Sport.
"We'll get some scans on that and see where it goes."
Regardless, the Reds snapped a horror losing streak to the Crusaders, having not beaten them in Brisbane since the 2011 Super Rugby grand final.
It came as that 2011-winning Queensland squad watched the current side rebound from their 42-19 home thumping by the Western Force last round.
The win wasn't easy as the visitors stayed in the contest despite the Reds dominating, but late tries to winger Filipo Daugunu and substitute Louis Werchon secured Queensland's victory and cemented their position inside the league's top six.
Daugunu dazzled all game in his 100th competition appearance, running for 120 metres and scoring a try.
The Crusaders (4-4) are now in danger of missing out on finals, although All Blacks fullback Will Jordan's replacement Johnny McNicholl was busy with an assist and a try-saving tackle against Jock Campbell.
"We couldn't really execute towards the end of the second half, and they just finished on top," Crusaders captain David Havili said.
"It's disappointing to come over here ... and get the loss."
The Crusaders scored in the fifth minute when McNicholl lofted a pass to an open Christian Lio-Willie, but the Reds responded first through Fraser McReight and then Gordon, after he pounced on a Harry Wilson kick.
The visitors hit back when they moved right from a maul and found Chay Fihaki to trail 14-12 at halftime.
Queensland scored within the first minute of the second period when scrumhalf Kalani Thomas tore through and grubbered for a diving Tim Ryan.
The Crusaders equalised when hooker George Bell capitalised from a maul before Daugunu wrestled over the line in the 74th minute.
The visitors desperately searched for a five-pointer, but Werchon scooped up a loose ball before going on a 50-metre tear to seal victory.
Fihaki crossed after the siren to salvage a losing bonus point for the Crusaders.
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