Fans likely want several penalties tweaked in football. The clubhouse leader has to be the rule that when the offense fumbles the ball through the end zone, it becomes a touchback for the defense.
An unfortunate fumble or bounce usually causes this rule to rear its ugly head. Sometimes, though, it comes into play because a player on offense willfully drops the ball before crossing the goal line.
Most famously, former Eagles wide receiver Desean Jackson had this happen years ago on a kick return that looked like a sure touchdown. It periodically happens throughout every NFL season, and in Week 15 against the Broncos, Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was the latest player to literally and figuratively drop the ball.
Here’s what happened to Taylor and how his fumble turned into a touchback.
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Jonathan Taylor fumble vs. Broncos, explained
Taylor hadn’t scored a touchdown in five games. He was due. In the third quarter in Week 15, he broke through the Denver defense for the first time and sprinted toward the end zone. Nobody was close to him; he scored an easy touchdown and began his celebration. The broadcast was cut to a commercial, but it was reported that referees were looking at something on the play.
Taylor wasn’t near the sideline, so there was confusion as to what was being examined. A replay showed that the Colts’ RB may have dropped the ball before he crossed the goal line. It was slowed down, and CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore confirmed that it looked like Taylor let go of the ball before crossing the goal line.
Not again… pic.twitter.com/EIKCsA3VgQ
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 15, 2024
Taylor had indeed fumbled at the end of the run. Nobody on the field recovered the ball as it bounced around on the ground, and with the momentum from Taylor’s run, it rolled its way out of bounds. With the replay confirming it, it was ruled a touchback for Denver and the Broncos took over on offense.
Taylor gets to keep the yardage in the box score, but he loses the touchdown and is tagged with a lost fumble, as well.
In a game that could have ultimately ended up deciding the AFC’s final wild-card spot, Taylor’s blunder might prove fatal for the Colts’ season, as Indianapolis fell 31-13.
Taylor was asked about the blunder after the game, saying “that can’t happen.”
The #Colts lose to the Broncos 31-13. Here’s RB Jonathan Taylor on the dropped ball at the goal line. Head to https://t.co/33Ugb8Kcl4 for more #INDvsDEN coverage via insiders @JoelAErickson & @NateAtkins_ —> https://t.co/o3AEnjCHOt
*Video via @JoelAErickson pic.twitter.com/nKda90rSxS— Clark Wade (@ClarkWade34) December 16, 2024
Quarterback Anthony Richardson said postgame that he told Taylor to “forget about it,” as one mistake can’t lead to more.
WATCH: #Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson shares what he told Jonathan Taylor after Taylor dropped the ball before crossing the goal line pic.twitter.com/ASkdKdxtA6
— WISH-TV News (@WISHNews8) December 16, 2024
Broncos head coach Sean Payton said Taylor dropping the ball was “significant” and that he doesn’t “get it,” while Colts head coach Shane Steichen reaffirmed that Taylor is one of the team’s leaders despite the significant mistake.
WATCH: #Colts head coach Shane Steichen talks about Jonathan Taylor dropping the ball before crossing the goal line pic.twitter.com/LHHc4ufCoo
— WISH-TV News (@WISHNews8) December 16, 2024
