The past two weeks in the NFL have seen players prematurely drop the ball at the one-yard line before reaching the end zone and subsequently cost their teams touchdowns.
In Week 4, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver AD Mitchell let go of the ball before crossing the goal line against the Los Angeles Rams. It wound up being a costly error as the Rams won that game by a final score of 27-20.
Then in Week 5, Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado dropped the ball just before the goal line on what should have been a 76-yard touchdown run. That ended up coming back to haunt the Cardinals as they blew a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter and lost to the previously winless Tennessee Titans.
During a recent episode of SiriusXM’s “Let’s Go!” podcast, Matthew Stafford discussed the recent epidemic of NFL players dropping the ball before reaching the end zone and shared what Rams players do to avoid making this mistake:
Why do we KEEP seeing players drop the ball on the 1-yard line??? 🤯
Matthew Stafford, with @JimGrayOfficial on the new "Let's Go!":
DOWNLOAD 🔗 https://t.co/8Z08BkgPJ0
EXTENDED VERSION 🔗 https://t.co/uqPRryMvx2 pic.twitter.com/7sof358yXT
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) October 7, 2025
Stafford noted that there have been several instances of players letting go of the ball on should-be touchdowns over the years.
The earliest example that comes to mind is when former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson did so in a Monday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys in 2008.
Stafford also revealed that Rams head coach Sean McVay preaches to players to hold on to the ball until they reach the team’s logo in the end zone — an idea that was first brought up by now-Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor.
It seems simple enough, but players around the NFL keep making the same mistake. Fortunately for the Rams, they have not been affected by this issue.
Rams injury updates
The Los Angeles Rams were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football and unfortunately lost some key players to injury during the game.
Starting inside linebacker Omar Speights sustained a high ankle sprain and only played in 44% of the team’s defensive snaps. He is considered doubtful for Sunday’s matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, which could lead to Troy Reeder or Shaun Dolac entering the starting lineup.
The Rams also lost backup tight end Colby Parkinson to a head injury in their game against the 49ers. He is currently in concussion protocol but has made good progress and could play against the Ravens.
Meanwhile, starting tight end Tyler Higbee and right tackle Rob Havenstein continue to make good progress as well and could return to the Rams starting lineup against the Ravens.
