Broncos, Bengals appear to exchange fumbles in bizarre play

Did Drew Lock lose a fumble and force a fumble on the same play?

That was the question sent to officials at Art McNally Gameday Central in New York as they were asked to sort through a chaotic play during Sunday’s Broncos-Bengals matchup.

At first, it looked as if the Denver quarterback had lost the ball, then chased down Bengals defensive end Khalid Kareem and knocked the ball out after a long return, leading to a Denver recovery at the Bengals’ 42. The play was not to stand, however; upon review, Kareem was ruled down at the Cincinnati 15.

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The review was a devastating one for a Broncos team that had put together a promising drive in response to a two-play, 68-yard scoring drive by the Bengals that put them up 15-10. Earlier in the drive, it appeared as if running back Melvin Gordon had lost the ball on a fumble, but that call was reversed and Gordon was ruled down by contact.

From there, Denver drove to a second-and-goal at the Cincinnati 9. That was when chaos broke out.

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The play started with Lock, who had entered the game in the third quarter after Teddy Bridgewater was carted off with a head injury, attempting to run after keeping on a read option. He took off to the left from the Cincinnati 14 but was met by Kareem about 2 yards ahead. Kareem ripped the ball from his hands and stumbled to the ground at the 15.

Kareem got up and ran to the Cincinnati 37, where Lock caught up to him and punched the ball out. Offensive tackle Garret Bolles pounced on the fumble as Empower Field at Mile High crowd cheered for their team’s seemingly miraculous recovery.

But upon further review, it was decided that Kareem made contact with Lock on the fumble recovery, meaning he was down where he fell. The Bengals’ subsequent drive lasted six plays and went for just 19 yards. The Broncos got the ball back at their 15 after a punt.

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Both teams are in the AFC playoff hunt; they each came into the week at 7-6 and just outside the seventh seed in the AFC. That spot is occupied by the Bills, who are 8-6 after a win earlier Sunday.