Andrew Mukuba, a rookie safety for the Philadelphia Eagles, made a decisive play in the team’s 20-17 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The win moves the Eagles to a 2-0 record early in the season.
In just his second NFL game, Mukuba intercepted a pass from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the end zone during the fourth quarter. Mahomes was targeting tight end Travis Kelce when the ball was tipped and caught by Mukuba, who returned it 41 yards. This turnover set up favorable field position for Philadelphia, which extended its lead and controlled possession to secure the win.
“I was just doing my assignment, trying to find where 87 (Kelce) was at,” Mukuba said after the game. “I knew that’s where they were going to try to go to, down there in that red zone. I saw they threw the ball, broke on the ball, and the ball was in the air. I feel like I do good around the ball, so the ball happened to find my hands. … It was a good changing point of the game. I feel like that’s what we needed as a team to kind of finish the game out.”
Mukuba joined Philadelphia as a second-round draft pick from Texas. He recorded five interceptions in his final college season and had already scored on an interception return during preseason play with the Eagles.
Although he did not score on this return—being tackled by Chiefs lineman Josh Simmons—Mukuba’s interception marked Kansas City’s only turnover of the game and proved pivotal for Philadelphia.
“That’s the name of the game, man. You got to get the ball,” Mukuba said regarding his ability to create turnovers. “Whoever causes the most turnovers, I believe, (has) got a high percentage chance of winning. So just thinking ‘ball’ at all times, man, it’s important. And I feel like that’s what helps me a lot, being in those positions and being able to make those plays.”
The Eagles’ defense limited Mahomes to completing just over half of his passes and forced four consecutive empty drives by Kansas City after halftime—including one turnover on downs and Mukuba’s interception.
Other defensive contributions included Za’Darius Smith combining with Mukuba for a sack while Jihaad Campbell and Zack Baun pressured Mahomes on blitzes.
“It was just a confidence booster,” Mukuba said about his performance. “As I grow, I tend to gain more confidence. Reed (Blankenship) on the sideline was one of the guys that was encouraging me throughout the whole game to stay positive and stay confident because there’s times where I feel like with plays I could have made that I didn’t make and I kind of beat myself up a little bit. But I had a guy like Reed next to me telling me to stay confident and keep going.
“As I play and as I make the plays that I make and being in position, I feel like I gain more confidence just being out there and getting comfortable. I feel like sooner or later, I’m going to get really, really comfortable.” — Written by Matt Ryan
