DaRon Bland didn’t even begin the season as the starting cornerback for the Cowboys, only taking over when All-Pro Trevon Diggs tore his ACL in practice before Week 3.
And nine starts later, Bland etched his name into NFL history with his record-setting fifth interception returned for a touchdown during the Cowboys’ 45-10 victory against the Commanders at AT&T Stadium on Thursday.
Dak Prescott threw for 331 yards and four touchdowns, while running back Tony Pollard (13 carries, 79 yards) rushed for a touchdown, too.
As for Bland, his historic pick came when the game was all but determined late in the fourth quarter but it still was impressive.
He stepped in front of a Sam Howell pass, raced down the sideline, broke tackles and returned the interception 63 yards for a touchdown.
Bland also recorded a pick-six in Weeks 1, 4, 7 and 10, and his latest snapped a tie with Eric Allen, Ken Houston and Jim Kearney, according to NBC.
After Bland scored against the Commanders, weaving around the trio of Commanders that had a chance to tackle him around the 10-yard line, the CBS broadcast cut to defensive coordinator Dan Quinn celebrating in the coaches’ booth while Bland was surrounded by teammates in the end zone.
“Seeing the ball, seeing the receiver run an out-rout, I just had to go get it,” Bland said during his on-field interview. “All I seen was open field and I wasn’t going to be denied.”
The Cowboys selected Bland in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he recorded five interceptions across 17 games as a rookie.
Then, one year later, he’s leading the NFL with seven interceptions entering the weekend.
He found a way to turn all but two of them into touchdowns, too.
“That’s a big moment. Let’s be honest. The sideline erupted,” head coach Mike McCarthy said, according to the Associated Press.
“It’s good to celebrate and you need to. You need to smell the roses when you walk through the garden, as our guys did today. Because when you’re on the other side, it’s hard.”
The Cowboys moved to 8-3 with the victory to keep their spot as the NFC’s top wild-card team, while ensuring they didn’t lose any ground with the Eagles in the NFC East race.
The Eagles (9-1), who beat the Chiefs on Monday, night, will host the 6-5 Bills on Sunday.
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