DENVER — Cincinnati safety Jordan Battle believed he had secured a 61-yard fumble return for a touchdown, but his excitement was short-lived as he lost control of the ball just before reaching the end zone. This unfortunate moment transformed what could have been a touchdown for the Bengals into a touchback, giving the Tennessee Titans possession instead.
Battle wasn’t alone in experiencing this type of misfortune on Sunday. Indianapolis running back Jonathan Taylor also fell victim to a similar blunder after what initially appeared to be a 41-yard touchdown run. However, upon review, the officials confirmed that Taylor had dropped the ball just shy of the end zone.
“That can’t happen,” Taylor expressed while apologizing to his teammates, assuring them it was a mistake he would not repeat. He acknowledged that it’s rare to be consciously aware of losing possession; otherwise, one wouldn’t make such a mistake in the first place.
This significant error not only robbed the Colts of a vital score but also allowed the Denver Broncos to shift momentum, as they outscored Indianapolis 24-0 from that point onward, ultimately clinching a 31-13 victory. This win pushed the Broncos closer to their first playoff appearance since their Super Bowl win following the 2015 season.
Jonathon Cooper, a pass rusher for the Broncos, noted that had Taylor scored, it would’ve drastically changed the dynamics of the game, making a comeback much tougher for Denver.
Broncos safety P.J. Locke echoed those sentiments, indicating that the mistake altered the entire flow of the game. He highlighted that strategies would have shifted significantly had the Colts scored. “It’s a different ballgame, man,” Locke remarked, as he considered the implications of that missed touchdown for both teams.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen recognized the impact of the blunder, stating, “That was a game-changer, yeah, absolutely. Obviously, it hurt us, but he’s one of our leaders.” He emphasized that mistakes like these happen in football, but they remain learning opportunities for the team.
In the end, Taylor’s performance highlighted his rushing ability, finishing with 107 yards on 22 carries, yet without a touchdown to his name. The Broncos, with this victory, are now projected to have a 91% chance of making it to the playoffs, while the Colts’ postseason hopes have dwindled down to 6%. If Indianapolis had secured a win, their playoff probabilities would have climbed to 51%, equal to that of Denver’s.
Cincinnati also experienced mishaps during their 37-27 victory over the Titans, with Coach Zac Taylor stressing the need for discipline regarding ball security in the end zone. “We show these clips and it’s not something we can ever have happen. It’s within our control,” he said, emphasizing the importance of completing plays without mistakes.
Earlier in the season, a similar incident occurred when New York Jets rookie Malachi Corley thought he scored his first NFL touchdown but dropped the ball just before crossing the line, resulting in a win for the Jets against Houston.
Coach Taylor highlighted the need for players to adjust their ball-carrying techniques, especially for those less familiar with the responsibility. Despite being named an All-Pro in 2021 and leading the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns, even Jonathan Taylor is not exempt from errors. After the game, Taylor was in disbelief when he realized what had happened and noted the immense potential impact of the lost points, stating, “I don’t know how it would have played out after that, but I do know we would have six more points.”
