The Bengals’ 2024 season has been so bad that even their best games can’t escape embarrassment.
As Cincinnati was dominating in the second half of their Week 15 game against the Titans, it looked like Bengals safety Jordan Battle had added to the lead by way of a scoop-and-score fumble return for a touchdown. But at the end of the runback, Battle knew he messed up.
Battle slowed down as he neared the goal line, and he tried to switch hands, transferring the ball to his right hand away from the trailing defender. The problem: He completely lost his grip on the football.
Pain 😩
Battle fumbled the ball before crossing the goal line ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/oTQRybH6O4
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 15, 2024
Battle tried to regain the loose ball in mid-air. But in doing so, he hit the ball out of the back of the end zone. The officials initially ruled the play as a touchdown, but it became awfully clear that Battle fumbled shy of the goal line.
Replay would rule it a touchback and give the possession back to Titans (who eventually turned it right back over with an interception).
No matter what happens, Battle won’t hear the end of that one.
