Right Place, Right Time

The turning point in the Eagles’ closely contested Week 2 win in Kansas City surfaced early in the game’s final quarter.

Faced with a 2nd-and-6 at the Philadelphia 6-yard line, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, his team trailing by three, fielded the shotgun snap, rifling a pass over the middle to his most trusted receiving option.

But tight end Travis Kelce was unable to reel it in, jarring the ball loose in the air – and up for grabs. In the opportune position to come down with the interception was Eagles safety Drew Mukuba, who proceeded to race 41 yards down the left sideline before left tackle Josh Simmons caught up to him, impressively angling off the rookie along the sideline.

The Eagles’ offense, static for much of the afternoon, capitalized on the takeaway, engineering a 10-play, 59-yard march down the field to extend the lead to double digits, courtesy of a 1-yard Jalen Hurts touchdown plunge. And they wouldn’t look back.

Andrew Mukuba overcame some tough moments, like getting dragged by Chiefs TE Travis Kelce. to come up with the game-saving interception.

But back to the play that pried the Eagles from murky waters, for a moment. Threatening to cut into the lead and potentially turn the tides, the Chiefs were knocking on the door, setting the stage for vintage late-game Mahomes magic.

Mukuba’s pick not only foiled a drive that appeared fruitful, bringing a raucous crowd to its feet; it underscored the ball-hawking tendencies and big-play ability that defines the Texas product. Mukuba also impressively stormed in to spill Mahomes on a third quarter 3rd-and-1, totaling six tackles, a half-sack and an interception in his second career start.

On the heels of an NFL debut that defensive coordinator merely deemed as “OK,” citing “multiple busts,” Mukuba was able to build on his initial learning experience, swarming to the football with urgency and tenacity. From a big picture perspective, Mukuba’s production validates the team’s investment and vision, his ball skills, instincts and football intellect taking center stage in a game in which the intensity was amplified.

The preparedness and confidence showcased by Mukuba also qualifies as another example of the refined attentiveness and detail gained under the tutelage of Fangio, safeties coach Joe Kasper and defensive backs coach Christian Parker.

The reality is that for the youth-infused defensive to continue its early ascent, the performance and development of rookies like Mukuba and linebacker Jihaad Campbell will be paramount. Campbell, by the way, tied for the team lead in tackles (7), while also notching a quarterback hit.

The rapid growth from both rookies complements a hard-nosed, swarming Eagles defense, one that kept the team in the game long enough for the offense to deliver the knockout punch, dropping the Chiefs to 0-2. Both will be counted on to assume prominent roles in the immediate future and beyond, and the early returns have been promising.

But it was the play by Mukuba that ultimately opened the floodgates. And as evidenced by his pick-six in the preseason, some players have an inherent flair for finding the football, which has manifested on multiple occasions in his young career.

“I always thought that he has a knack for the football; how he practices, watching his tape whether it was at Clemson or at Texas, and he has the ability to take the ball away as a playmaker,” Nick Sirianni said following that preseason win over the Browns.

“Any time you go out there and make a play, that’s big. That was exciting, the interception. And even the one when he was there for the fumble recovery after they had a missed exchange. Guys that have a knack for the football just find ways to be around the football and I think that’s what we saw today.”

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.