Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon was seen on the sideline tearing into running back Emari Demercado following a crucial fumble that cost the team a game against the Tennessee Titans. The third-year running back had appeared to have secured a 76-yard touchdown run that would have given Arizona a commanding 21-point lead late in the fourth quarter, potentially making it nearly impossible for the Titans to mount a comeback. However, the touchdown was negated when Demercado dropped the ball before reaching the goal line, resulting in a touchback and a turnover that shifted momentum dramatically in favor of the Titans.
Gannon’s frustration was evident as he approached Demercado, with offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. attempting to console his teammate. After the game, Gannon called the team’s offensive mistakes “unacceptable,” refusing to elaborate on the specifics of what he told Demercado. The coach emphasized that the issues were not isolated to a single play, stressing the need for improved performance across all phases of the game. Arizona had the chance to secure the win after a key interception by Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, but a series of mishandled fumbles allowed the Titans to reclaim the lead and eventually score the game-winning touchdown.
The sequence of events saw multiple Cardinals players fail to recover the ball, with the Titans’ receiver Tyler Locket, initially thought to be out of bounds, securing the ball for a touchdown. With the score now 21-19 and the Titans in field goal range, quarterback Cam Ward found Calvin Ridley on a 38-yard strike to set up a chip-shot field goal. Kicker Joey Slye delivered the winning kick at the final whistle, sealing the improbable victories for the Titans. Gannon acknowledged the loss as a collective failure, stating that the Cardinals had multiple chances to put the game away but failed to execute under pressure. The defeat marks the third straight game where the team has struggled to close out close matches, prompting Gannon to call for increased focus and urgency in preparation for future contests.