On American Thanksgiving Thursday in the United States, Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland of Modesto, California made National Football League history by setting the NFL record for most interception returns for a touchdown in a single season with five. He broke the record of four previously set by Houston Oilers safety Ken Houston of Lufkin, Texas ( 1971), Kansas City Chiefs safety Jim Kearney of Wharton, Texas (1972), and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Eric Allen of San Diego, California (1993). Let’s take a look at the five pick sixes for Bland in 2023.
Interception on Opening Night
In the Cowboys’s first game of the season, a 40-0 win over the New York Giants, Bland had a 22-yard interception return for a touchdown as he picked off a Daniel Jones pass. At the time, the Cowboys went up 16-0. The 40-0 Cowboys win was their largest shutout victory in franchise history.
Pick against the Pats
On October 1, in a 38-3 Cowboys blowout win over the New England Patriots, Bland had a 54-yard interception return for a major score with 54 seconds left on a pass from Mac Jones in the first half to put the Cowboys up 28-3. It was the worst loss in Bill Belichick’s coaching history.
Pick against the Rams
On October 29, in a 43-20 Cowboys win over the Los Angeles Rams, Bland had a 30-yard touchdown catch with 36 seconds left in the first quarter on a pass from Matt Stafford. At the time, the Cowboys went up 17-3.
Pick against the Panthers
On November 19, in a 33-10 Cowboys win over the Carolina Panthers, Bland had a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown on a pass from Bryce Young with 13 minutes and 48 seconds left in the game. At the time, the Cowboys went up 33-10.
Thanksgiving Feast
On Thursday in a 45-10 Cowboys win over the Washington Commanders, Bland intercepted a Sam Howell pass for 63 yards. The pick finished the scoring and came four minutes and 39 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
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