Eagles’ Drew Mukuba got ‘crap’ from teammates after picking off Patrick Mahomes
The Philadelphia Eagles, regardless of how “ugly” their start to the season may have been, can hold their head high as they start the season undefeated in two contests — including a 20-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in a rematch of Super Bowl LIX. It was the Eagles’ defense that starred in that grimy victory — with rookie safety Drew Mukuba even picking off a pass from future Hall of Famer Patrick Mahones that was intended for Travis Kelce at the goal line.
Mukuba was at the right place at the right time, with Reed Blankenship’s coverage making it difficult for the Chiefs tight end to catch the ball cleanly. The 22-year-old then managed to run the ball 41 yards before he was taken down on the sideline by offensive lineman Josh Simmons.
ANDREW MUKUBA END ZONE INT
— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025
PHIvsKC on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/BQSMeTozCT
While Mukuba did play an important part in giving the Eagles the win, endearing himself to teammates even further, he did prompt some lighthearted mocking from his teammates after a defensive back like him wasn’t able to take the ball all the way to the end zone for a pick-six after getting tackled by an offensive lineman.
“It was a lot of them that was happy for me. There was also a lot giving me crap for getting caught, especially by an O-lineman. That ain’t supposed to happen for a DB. Yeah, that’s crazy,” Mukuba said, per Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
One of those players that gave Mukuba “crap” was Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, who, despite praising the rookie for his defensive acumen, wanted to see him take that ball all the way towards the opposite end zone.
“It was crazy. I thought he was gone. He’s gotta score that. But he’s got a knack for the football. He’s going to make plays like that each and every week,” Mitchell said.
All’s well that ends well anyway, especially when the Eagles did manage to score not too long after Mukuba’s pick.
Eagles’ defense gets the job done to start title defense
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
It’s not too often that an offense led by Mahomes gets held down in check the way they did on Sunday. But the Eagles’ defense deserve plenty of credit for stifling the Chiefs, especially with unheralded weapons such as Mukuba grabbing the limelight with their highlight-reel plays.
The Eagles, for Week 2, are set to face the Los Angeles Rams in a battle of two teams that have gone unbeaten thus far in 2025.
Lions veteran is proving everyone wrong about him, and he's being rewarded with an expanded role for it
Detroit Lions veteran is proving everyone wrong about him, and he's being rewarded with an expanded role
I swear to you, I've typed the words edge rusher 750 times in the last few months alone. I wish I could actually count. My favorite time to do it is when it's for a good reason, and this one is. The Detroit Lions are coming off a big win over the Chicago Bears, and they were able to bring pressure and get home for the first time this season. One player who really stood out caught the eye of coaches, and now he's going to get more opportunities going forward.
Al-Quadin Muhammad is set to get an expanded role on the Lions' defense
Muhammad had a great game against the Bears on Sunday. In the times when Marcus Davenport was injured, Muhammad came in and played 36 snaps and put up three pressures and a sack. While it was less noticeable, he had a pressure and a quarterback hit against the Packers in Week 1, too. Muhammad is showing what he can do week to week. Because of that, he's going to get an expanded role on the Lions' defense.
"He had a really good camp, and he just continues to do things for us. He's crafty, he's strong, he's got some explosiveness, and, man, he plays hard. God plays hard." Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Monday. "I mean, there was a number of plays I can think of three right now where he's running out of the stack. He's running out of balls thrown screen and, I mean, he is running to try to get the ball or making a tackle. And it's that kind of effort with what he's got, ability-wise, it gives you a chance. He's been big for us, and he's going to get more of a role. He's earned that."
It's been such a stark difference from what was expected for Muhammad when he got here last year. When I asked Colts beat writer Destin Adams about him after he signed, Adams said right out front that if the Lions were hoping for pass rush from him, they might be disappointed, but that he was strong against the run in Indianapolis.
Adams was right on the latter part of that. Muhammad has been a great run defender in Detroit. But he's also shown to be a strong pass rusher. Perhaps he just didn't get to show that with the Colts. He showed in 2024 and the Lions brought him back, and now he might have a chance to start opposite Aidan Hutchinson against the Ravens since the Lions are waiting to hear what the word is on Davenport.
Let's see what he can do against a Ravens offensive line that struggled against the Browns defense on Sunday, despite their win, saying otherwise.
