Stretching for touchdown can backfire into costly fumble
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Derek Carr would do it all over again: stretch the ball toward the goal line for a potential winning touchdown, even though he knows the extra effort backfired and cost the Oakland Raiders a chance to win.
Carr's dramatic fumble that rolled through the end zone for a touchback ended Oakland's comeback hopes and most of its playoff chances in the closing seconds of a 20-17 Week 15 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
He scrambled toward the end zone, stretched the ball forward as he dived only to have it jostled loose by Dallas safety Jeff Heath and roll out of the end zone for a turnover on a somewhat esoteric rule that has been used more than usual this year.