Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has made a career out of turning short gains into big plays. But, in an important game on Sunday with playoff implications, the running back committed a cardinal sin that may come back to haunt his team.
With the Colts up 13-7 against the Denver Broncos, Taylor exploded for what was initially a 41-yard touchdown run for the go-ahead score. However, officials overturned Taylor’s TD as he dropped the ball prior to breaking the plane of the end zone. It was ruled a fumble and touchback after rolling out of bounds, giving Taylor an inexcusable blunder in a contest where the Colts and Broncos are fighting for a postseason berth.
Taylor appeared to apologize to coach Shane Steichen and quarterback Anthony Richardson on the sideline, while linebacker Zaire Franklin looked like he gave Taylor some words of encouragement.
Take a look at the stunning sequence below:
Call overturned! This TD was ruled a touchback 😳 pic.twitter.com/jRlTeq9QQs
— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024
Not only has Taylor’s absent-minded play potentially cost Indianapolis a win, it also may have cost the team a postseason berth. Entering Sunday, the Colts had a 61 percent chance to make the playoffs with a victory over the Broncos and just a 10 percent chance with a loss, per The Athletic’s playoff projection model. Obviously, Taylor giving away points doesn’t help the Indy’s playoff push.
While Taylor’s turnover will surely make the rounds on social media, he wasn’t the only player to cost their team points in such a DeSean Jackson-esque way.
The Cincinnati Bengals survived their own mishap during a 37-27 win over the Tennessee Titans after watching defensive back Jordan Battle drop a walk-in TD following a fumble recovery.
Oh no Bengals 😳
A fumble through the back of the end zone takes a TD off the board for Cincinnati.
🎥 @NFLonFOXpic.twitter.com/wfp23p2ySY
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 15, 2024
(Photo: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images)
