Daron Bland has a very realistic chance to break an unheard-of NFL record. His fourth pick-six of the season tied an NFL record for most interception return touchdowns in one season. Bland is currently tied with Eric Allen, Ken Houston, and Jim Kearney for most in one season. Bland has a much more realistic shot at putting his name in the NFL history books than many of us realize.
DaRon Bland’s Record Tying Four Pick-Sixes Put Single Season Record in His Crosshairs
How Realistic Is It?
DaRon Bland’s unbelievable defensive performance in 2023 didn’t begin quite so brightly. Trevon Diggs’ ACL injury left Bland as the top CB in Dallas, along with Stephon Gilmore. Bland has demonstrated that he is the leader of the CB room and that he can take away a Quarterback’s confidence. His transition from outside CB to nickel CB is much more difficult than most of us realize. It’s an uphill battle that Bland has done before.
“It wasn’t really about the record. It’s really about being in the history books, being remembered,” said Bland. “It goes back to high school and playing receiver, always having the ball in my hands,”
The football might just end up in the hands of the former fifth-round unknown yet again on Thursday. The Dallas Cowboys host the Washington Commanders on Thanksgiving, a traditional holiday matchup. The Commanders QB Sam Howell currently leads the NFL in passing yards. It’s a safe assumption to make that Howell is going to let it fly on Thanksgiving. Bland has a chance to capitalize on the pass-heavy Washington offense.
Washington throws the football more than any NFL team, and this is cause for Bland to take notes. With a very pass-happy offense, he will see the ball come his way a few times. We’ve seen him lock up Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson before. A DaRon Bland record-breaking fifth pick-six could be aided by his position change and Howell’s pass-happy style.
What Would it Mean for Dallas?
Now just for fun, let’s imagine Bland just broke the record. High five.
Bland’s fifth pick-six breaks an NFL record and a Dallas Cowboys record. There’s no telling what Dallas’ plan is, but a broken record would certainly help Bland stay in town. Bland scoring another touchdown for Dallas would greatly aid in his future Cowboy status.
Bland has earned every single interception this season. He may not be widely regarded as the best CB in the league, or in the conversation. A fifth pick-six would silence haters, and exasperate Bland’s wallet. A league-record five defensive touchdowns would pay very large dividends to a DaRon Bland payday.
Bland’s quite explosive play means that he is climbing Dallas’ priority ladder. His play remains better than that of Stephon Gilmore and Jourdan Lewis. Four more interceptions than Gilmore and nine years younger than the former DPOY. Due to the nature of the business, Dallas may be forced to make an offseason move following a record breaker. All four of Bland’s pick-sixes puts him on a lonely island in Dallas. No other Cowboy CB is playing on Bland’s level, and that could spell trouble. CB Jourdan Lewis currently sits in the hot seat.
Bland has a large chance to break a single-season record of interception touchdowns on Thanksgiving. The feat remains doable, but not easy. If he sets the record, there’s a chance Bland becomes an untouchable, earns his paydirt, and another CB ends up on the chopping block. Bland will face Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson in an NFC East matchup. His record-breaking fifth pick-six remains likely against Washington’s 12th overall offense.
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