The Arizona Cardinals blew a massive lead on Sunday in large part because of a nauseating mistake from Emari Demercado, and the running back made no excuses after the game.
The Cardinals were leading 21-6 early in the fourth quarter of their Week 5 game against the Tennessee Titans when it looked like Demercado put the game away with a 73-yard touchdown run. Instead, he committed a mistake that has become all too familiar to NFL fans.
Just before he crossed the goal line, Demercado let go of the football. All scoring plays are reviewed, and replays showed that Demercado clearly gave up possession of the ball before it broke the plane. The Titans were awarded a touchback. Tennessee scored a touchdown on its ensuing drive en route to a stunning 22-21 comeback win.
While speaking with reporters after the game, Demercado took full responsibility for costing his team.
"I just made a mistake. There’s really no excuse," Demercado said, via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "Just let the ball go through. I’ve just got to be smarter. It’s as simple as that."
Demercado also said he needs to move on quickly.
"I’ve just got to keep pushing,” he added. “It’s the same thing. No matter which way you word it, it’s the same answer, I’ve just got to keep pushing. Holding onto it isn’t going to do anything for me.”
The Cardinals made plenty of other mistakes in the game, but Demercado's is the one that garnered the most attention.
Believe it or not, Demercado was the second NFL player in as many weeks to inexplicably surrender possession of the ball just before he crossed the goal line. Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell did the same exact thing on a potential go-ahead touchdown in his team's loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4.
Mitchell was still active for the Colts' game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Demercado could also be quickly forgiven, as the Cardinals have limited running back depth with starter James Conner having suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 3.
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