Jim Nantz discovered how difficult it is to force a fumble in the NFL when the CBS star tried to punch the ball out of J.J. Watt’s hands during the Buffalo Bills’ 33-30 win over theLas Vegas Raiders.
The attempt left Nantz grimacing in pain as Watt laughed as the exchange took place during a break in the action before the two-minute warning in the first half at Allegiant Stadium.
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Watt, the former All-Pro defensive end working as an analyst for CBS after replacing Tony Romo, demonstrated how defenders use the peanut punch to dislodge the football from an opponent’s grip.
And the 57-year-old Nantz was invited to try the technique against Watt, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 288 pounds but despite his best effort, the ball remained firmly in the former athlete’s hands – creating an amusing moment.
“That was so much harder than I thought you were gonna go, but the ball stayed,” Watt said, chucking, to which Nantz replied, “Yeah it did, my wrist is broken.”
The peanut punch became closely associated with former Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman, who developed a reputation for deliberately striking the football during tackles to force turnovers.
And ever since, offensive players have increasingly worked to protect the ball by keeping it secure against their bodies and anticipating attempts to knock it loose as Watt’s demonstration illustrated the challenge facing defenders.
Even a powerful strike does not guarantee a fumble, as Kenneth Walker displayed for the Kansas City Chiefs against the Miami Dolphins.
There was no confirmation that Nantz had suffered an actual fracture, but he was seen with an ice pack for his hand in the broadcast booth as the second half began on Sunday, October 18.
Bills survive Raiders rally to extend winning run
Meanwhile on the field, Buffalo left its West Coast trip with two victories after following an overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams with a narrow triumph over Las Vegas as the Bills improved to 5-1.
The Raiders slipped to 3-3 after suffering their third consecutive defeat as Josh Allen completed 23 of 33 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns, tying Jim Kelly’s franchise record of 258 career touchdown passes.
His spectacular third-quarter throw to Keon Coleman came after he escaped what appeared to be an almost certain sack whilst James Cook also delivered a strong performance after losing fumbles against the Rams earlier in the week.
He rushed 22 times for 95 yards and a touchdown, adding three receptions for 58 yards as Buffalo avoided a turnover for the first time in four games and Cook’s three-yard touchdown run with 4:43 remaining broke a 23-23 tie, and Tyler Bass added a 38-yard field goal to give the Bills a crucial cushion.
Kirk Cousins threw for 313 yards and two touchdowns for Las Vegas, but the Raiders could not complete their comeback as the Bills ultimately kneeled the game out.