Heartbreak for Cardinals: Demercado’s Goal Line Fumble Leads to Touchback and Loss Against Titans

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Emari Demercado made a costly mistake when he dropped the ball before crossing the goal line, resulting in a touchdown being erased. This blunder led to a dramatic collapse for the Arizona Cardinals, who lost to the Tennessee Titans 22-21 after leading by 15 points.

Demercado’s near-touchdown looked promising. He charged through the Titans’ defense, but as he approached the end zone, he let the ball go too early. Officials initially ruled it a touchdown, but a review revealed the truth: he had dropped it just before the goal line, giving the Titans a touchback instead.

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray expressed his support for Demercado, noting that everyone makes mistakes. “He’s going to take that on the chin,” Murray said. “He understands that.”

This game was particularly painful for the Cardinals (2-3). They had previously built a solid 21-6 lead against the winless Titans, but everything changed after that fumble. Tennessee quickly capitalized, scoring shortly after the turnover and closing the gap.

This isn’t an isolated incident in the NFL. Just the week before, Indianapolis receiver Adonai Mitchell faced a similar fate, dropping the ball before a potential touchdown, resulting in a touchback.

Such mistakes resonate deeply within the league. They remind players and fans how crucial focus and humility are, especially in high-stakes games. A recent survey showed that 68% of players believe mental errors, like showing off, have led to game losses.

The Cardinals’ misfortunes didn’t stop there. They allowed another touchdown through a fumble after an interception. Tennessee’s Tyler Lockett recovered the ball in the end zone, tightening the score even more. The game ended with a last-second field goal from Joey Slye, sealing Arizona’s fate—marking the first time in NFL history that a team lost three straight games with a score decided in the final seconds.

Murray summed up the day: “That’s how to lose a game 101.”

Demercado joins a list of players who have faced similar pitfalls. Historically, careless goal-line plays like these often cost teams dearly. In 2008, Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson famously tossed the ball behind him before reaching the end zone, losing a touchdown. In 1993, Cowboys player Leon Lett had a infamous moment in the Super Bowl when he celebrated too early, allowing a defensive player from the Bills to knock the ball away.

For the Cardinals, recovering from this loss will require strong leadership and mental resilience. As they regroup, the lessons from this game—and others like it—should serve as reminders of the fine line between success and failure in the NFL.

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