Cardinals’ Demercado Fumbles at Goal Line for Second Touchback in Two Weeks
GLENDALE, Arizona — A costly mistake by Emari Demercado led to a stunning defeat for the Arizona Cardinals against the Tennessee Titans, magnifying pressure as Arizona faced its third consecutive loss.
Emari Demercado’s Mistake Triggers Cardinal Collapse
In a moment that can only be described as a cardinal sin in football, Cardinals running back Emari Demercado dropped the ball just before crossing the goal line, erasing a potential 72-yard touchdown and undermining Arizona’s solid 15-point lead. The Titans capitalized on this blunder, eventually winning the game 22-21 with a last-minute field goal by Joey Slye.
Game Highlights: A Rocky Fourth Quarter for the Cardinals
The Cardinals (2-3) initially surged with an impressive 18-point lead against the winless Titans. Leading 21-6 early in the fourth quarter, Demercado broke through Tennessee’s defense on a crucial third-and-1 play, setting up what appeared to be a touchdown run. However, just as Titans cornerback L’Jarius Sneed approached, Demercado unintentionally flipped the ball away, resulting in a touchback after officials reviewed the play.
- Arizona’s first-half advantage built on a solid offensive strategy.
- Demercado’s mistake marked the second consecutive week involving a significant turnover near the goal line in the NFL.
- The Titans quickly capitalized, scoring two touchdowns in succession, turning the game on its head.
Cardinals’ Defense Struggles After Key Turnover
Following the heart-wrenching turnover, Tennessee swiftly advanced down the field, leading to a 1-yard touchdown run by Tony Pollard, which narrowed the gap to 21-12. The Titans then scored again after a fumble by Arizona’s Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, allowing receiver Tyler Lockett to recover in the end zone. With momentum fully in Tennessee’s favor, Slye ultimately sealed the game with a 29-yard field goal.
Historical Context: Cardinals Make NFL History with Losses
This defeat marked a historic low for the Cardinals as they became the first NFL team to lose three consecutive games, each concluded with a score on the final play of the fourth quarter. Prior losses featured a last-minute field goal from Seattle (23-20) and another slim defeat to San Francisco (16-15).
Support from Teammates: A Lesson in Resilience
Following the game, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray addressed the impact of the incident on Demercado, emphasizing the importance of mental resilience in professional sports. “I know his character, his IQ of the game,” Murray stated. “He understands that we all make mistakes.” Meanwhile, offensive lineman Paris Johnson reaffirmed the need for team solidarity, urging Demercado to move forward and focus on future plays.
Historical Blunders at the Goal Line: Learning from Mistakes
Demercado’s oversight joins a list of infamous goal line mishaps in NFL history, where players have struggled under pressure:
- Adonai Mitchell (2023): Lost a 76-yard touchdown for a touchback against the Los Angeles Rams.
- DeSean Jackson (2008): Celebrated too early against the Dallas Cowboys, negating a clear touchdown.
- Leon Lett (1993): Suffered a notorious early celebration in the Super Bowl, resulting in a fumble.
As the Arizona Cardinals regroup and look for strategies to overcome their recent struggles, the hope remains that they can learn from this painful experience and refocus for upcoming challenges.
