NFL quarterbacks might want to stop testing DaRon Bland.
The Dallas Cowboys cornerback jumped in front of a Bryce Young pass in Sunday’s 33-10 win in Carolina, snagged the pigskin, hopped back to his feet, and raced to the end zone for his fourth pick-six of the season.
The play resulted in Bland equalling the record for the most interceptions returned for a touchdown in a single NFL season. He now stands alongside Eric Allen of the Eagles (1993), Jim Kearney of the Chiefs (1972), and Ken Houston of the Oilers (1971), all of whom also achieved four.
Bland’s current objective is to establish a new record.
“It just makes another goal to break it,” Bland said, via the team’s official website. “I think it was when I touched the end zone, it was like, ‘Wow, I just did it. I tied the record.’ I’m level-headed now and I want to go break it. …
It’s not truly about the record, but about securing a place in history and being remembered.
Bland’s rapid recovery and impressive ball skills resulted in a perfect storm of opportunity. Once again on Sunday, a quarterback assumed he had a chance to sneak a pass past the Cowboys’ corner, but Bland effortlessly slid in for the interception.
“He said, “It harks back to my high school days when I played as a receiver, constantly having the ball in my hands. I could make that play any given day.”
Following Trevon Diggs‘ season-ending knee injury, the question was who in the Cowboys’ secondary would step up. Bland has been that man, and it’s more than just the pick-sixes. His six total INTs are tied for most in the NFL, and his 12 passes defensed are tied for fifth-most entering Monday night.
