Cincinnati’s Jordan Battle and Indy’s Jonathan Taylor drop the ball in front of the goal line, nullifying touchdowns

Cincinnati safety Jordan Battle thought he had a 61-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

Until he dropped the ball just before crossing the goal line. Suddenly a touchdown turned into a touchback and Tennessee took over.

On Sunday he had company.

Indianapolis running back Jonathan Taylor had a 41-yard touchdown run on the board until replays clearly showed he dropped the ball before crossing into the end zone. That led to the Colts scoring a 40-yard run and a touchback early in the third quarter in Denver.

Just like Battle did a few hours earlier. Cincinnati defeated the Titans 37-27, but Battle’s deficit prevented the Bengals from scoring 31 points on six turnovers. Coach Zac Taylor said the team deals with this issue every week.

“We show these clips and something like this can never happen. It is in our control. You go two meters over the goal line, letters and logos, it’s easy,” Taylor said.

It happened earlier this season.

Malachi Corley thought he had scored his first NFL touchdown for the New York Jets, but the rookie wide receiver dropped the ball before crossing the goal line. The Jets still beat Houston 21-13 on October 31st.

Zac Taylor said the coaching staff preaches that these mistakes happen to players who aren’t used to carrying the ball, unlike Bengals wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins.

“This is a situation that we obviously cannot have,” he said.

Jonathan Taylor, an All Pro in 2021 when he led the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns, certainly knows how to carry the ball into the end zone. On Sunday, he was free of the three Broncos defenders chasing him. The ball slipped out.

Television cameras showed Taylor closing his eyes and shaking his head slightly, knowing full well the mistake he had made.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl