Cardinals’ Demercado Fumbles at Goal Line, Followed by Touchback
The Arizona Cardinals faced a significant setback during their recent game against the Tennessee Titans. A critical error by running back Emari Demercado not only wiped away a potential touchdown but also led to the team’s devastating collapse, resulting in a 22-21 loss.
Demercado’s Costly Mistake
Emari Demercado fumbled the ball just before crossing the goal line while making a 72-yard sprint early in the fourth quarter. His decision to let go of the football was a costly one, as it resulted in a touchback for the Titans. Initially ruled a touchdown, the play was overturned after a review.
Game Details
- Date: Recent Sunday
- Location: Glendale, Arizona
- Final Score: Tennessee Titans 22, Arizona Cardinals 21
- Cardinals’ Record: 2-3
Before Demercado’s blunder, the Cardinals held an 18-point lead, outscoring the Titans 21-6 at one point. However, after the turnover, the Titans quickly capitalized and regained momentum.
Impact on the Game
Following the fumble, Tennessee scored a touchdown through Tony Pollard’s 1-yard run, narrowing the score. The Titans added another touchdown later due to Dadrion Taylor-Demerson’s fumble recovery. In a series of misfortunes, the Cardinals allowed Joey Slye to kick the winning field goal from 29 yards, sealing their fate.
Historical Context
This loss marked a troubling trend for the Cardinals, as they became the first team in NFL history to lose three consecutive games on the final play of the fourth quarter. The previous losses included a 23-20 defeat to Seattle and a 16-15 loss to San Francisco.
Reactions and Comments
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray expressed his support for Demercado, highlighting his character and acknowledging that mistakes happen. “He’s going to take that on the chin, he understands that,” Murray stated.
Offensive lineman Paris Johnson also reached out to Demercado, emphasizing the need to move forward despite the misstep. “Wipe it off and keep going,” he advised.
Similar Incidents in NFL History
Demercado’s fumble is part of a series of notable goal line mistakes in NFL history. These include:
- Adonai Mitchell’s fumble while celebrating a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams.
- DeSean Jackson losing a touchdown in 2008 by tossing the ball behind him at the goal line.
- Leon Lett’s infamous premature celebration in Super Bowl XXVII.
As the Cardinals reflect on this game and seek to recover in the coming weeks, the focus will be on learning from errors and ensuring that critical plays are executed with precision.
