Watch: Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Carter nearly makes unprecedented interception of Patrick Mahomes’ spike

Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive tackle Jalen Carter came oh-so-close to producing the play of the year in the NFL on Monday night. Carter nearly had one of the most incredible and unlikely interceptions in NFL history during the Eagles’ 21-17 win over Kansas City.

The rookie nearly intercepted a spike by Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes late in the second quarter. As Mahomes threw the football toward the turf, Carter dove between the legs of Kansas City center Creed Humphrey and almost got his hands under the football for the pick.

Jalen Carter was so close. pic.twitter.com/G8wkJM3DON

— NFL November 21, 2023

“ I saw it on the internet , I’ve seen it on YouTube, some high school kid tried, and he actually caught the ball,” Carter told radio station WIP-FM in Philadelphia after the game. “I thought, ‘That’s a good idea,’ I knew they would spike it, so I tried to go for it.”

The move has been successful at the high school level , but Carter’s attempt was unprecedented in the NFL. The NFL is a copycat league, and others will surely try to be the first to intercept a spike attempt. However, what Carter had was the element of surprise, and that won’t be a factor moving forward because other coaches and quarterbacks are now aware and will adjust.