

Have we been too quick to label the Packers as Super Bowl contenders?
USA TODAY Sports’ Joe Rivera and Chris Bumbaca discuss whether the NFL world jumped the gun on calling the Packers Super Bowl contenders.
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado appeared to have a 72-yard touchdown in his team’s Week 5 game against the Tennessee Titans.
Instead, the third-year pro made an unfathomable mistake near the goal-line that negated the score.
After breaking free from the defense, Demercado slowed down as he approached the end-zone. He then appeared to reach the ball forward just ahead of the goal-line.
In the process, Demercado lost control of the ball just before it crossed the goal-line. It bounced through the back of the end-zone – as the Titans’ trailing defender, L’Jarius Sneed, was quicky to point out – resulting in a turnover and a touchback.
Below is a look at the play:
The Cardinals would have extended their lead to 27-6, and three possessions, had Demercado scored. Instead, the Titans went on to score a touchdown on the possession following Demercado’s fumble and cut Arizona’s lead to nine.
Demercado’s gaffe came just a week after Indianapolis Colts receiver Adonai Mitchell made a similar mistake against the Los Angeles Rams. Mitchell nearly logged a 76-yard touchdown before dropping the ball at the 1-yard line.
Mitchell’s miscue was rewarded by receiving a reduced role in the Colts’ Week 5 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
It isn’t clear how the Cardinals will address Demercardo’s fumble. The 26-year-old was already operating as the team’s third-string running back behind Michael Carter and Zonovan “Bam” Knight, and his 71-yard carry was just his second touch of the game.
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