Tag: interception

Chiefs LB Drue Tranquill was mic’d up during Chamarri Conner’s INT vs. Bills

Kansas City #Chiefs LB Drue Tranquill was mic’d up during DB Chamarri Conner’s exciting interception against the Buffalo #Bills in Week 11.

The Kansas City Chiefs defense allowed 30 points for the first time this season in the defending Super Bowl champions’ Week 11 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night.

Despite their relatively poor performance, Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive unit still managed to make several impressive plays and showed outstanding effort against Josh Allen and the Bills’ impressive offense.

Among Kansas City’s top plays in the game was an interception by defensive back Chamarri Conner, which seemed to spark the Chiefs during their comeback attempt at Highmark Stadium.

Veteran linebacker Drue Tranquill was mic’d up during Conner’s interception and could be heard giving words of encouragement to his teammate during the play in a video that was posted to Twitter this morning:

As Spagnuolo, Conner, and Tranquill look to pick up the pieces and get back on track against the Carolina Panthers in Week 12, this video serves to remind fans that despite Kansas City’s loss, its players showed a ton of heart against Buffalo.

Steelers FS Minkah Fitzpatrick discusses his lack of splash plays

In 2024, Minkah Fitzpatrick hasn’t produced with splash plays, but his impact remains critical for the Steelers’ strong 7-2 start.

Steelers’ All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has been lacking some of his ‘FitzMagic’ to start the 2024 season, but if you ask him, it isn’t due to a lack of effort or execution.

The Pittsburgh Steelers safety has recorded 20 interceptions and three defensive touchdowns since 2019. Fans of the Steel City have been eagerly awaiting the return of Fitzpatrick’s elite playmaking ability to create turnovers and splash plays in 2024, but through nine games, there’s been nothing to show for it in terms of interceptions.

However, he has still displayed elite zone coverage, pass breakups, and run-stopping excellence. It seems Fitzpatrick isn’t overly concerned about the pressure to produce turnovers this season.

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With the Pittsburgh Steelers off to an impressive 7-2 start in 2024, Fitzpatrick’s words ring true. His elite play has deterred quarterbacks from throwing to his side of the field, and he will aim to maintain his dominant coverage heading into the Week 11 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on November 17 at 1:00 PM EST.

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Tyrann Mathieu knows what to expect from Jameis Winston

Familiarity plays a part in Saints vs. Browns, and Tyrann Mathieu knows what to expect from Jameis Winston in his return to New Orleans:

Tyrann Mathieu is ready to play his former teammate, Jameis Winston, on Sunday. Mathieu has one message for Winston, “I’m expecting a shot the first play of the game, Jameis, so throw it up there.”

Mathieu intercepted Kirk Cousins in the fourth quarter to help the New Orleans Saints break their losing streak. The safety would like to build a streak of his own, but he knows Winston: “Probably tells me he’s going to throw it at me before he actually does it.”

Familiarity plays a big part in this matchup. “He knows us, we know him,”  Mathieu said. Winston wasn’t in New Orleans long, but Mathieu still thinks this will be “somewhat of homecoming” because of how the city feels bout the former Saints quarterback. Mathieu said the team loves Winston the same way.

Mathieu joined the New Orleans Saints a year after Winston. Mathieu’s arrival coincided with Winston becoming the starter. Through this time, both were leaders on their side of the ball and they got to know each other well.

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Tyrann Mathieu and Drew Brees probably wouldn’t agree on his favorite INT

Tyrann Mathieu and Drew Brees probably wouldn’t agree on his favorite INT. Mathieu’s takeaway in his 2013 homecoming stands the test of time:

It’s no secret that Tyrann Mathieu is a special talent. The New Orleans Saints safety returned home to close out his illustrious NFL career, and while Mathieu’s 2024 season hast had more low moments than he’s comfortable with, the highlights stand up with the best plays throughout his career.

He’s still making history. Mathieu is tied with his old college teammate Patrick Peterson for the most interceptions among all active NFL players (36). So which one was his favorite?

“I hate to say it but it’d have to be my rookie season, playing against Drew Brees in the Superdome,” Mathieu grinned. “And we got beat bad that day  but I had a good game. And I got to walk l away with one of the most prized possessions of anybody’s life, and that’s a Drew Brees football. So I always remember that one.”

Mathieu played the Saints just three games into his pro career back in 2013, and while his Arizona Cardinals fell 31-7, he did finish the day with 10 tackles (9 solo), on top of that interception. That was a season-high for his rookie year, and clearly a memorable game in his NFL story.

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Darren Rizzi on late takeaway vs. Falcons: ‘Biggest play of the game’

Darren Rizzi called Tyrann Mathieu’s interception the biggest play of the game as it swung momentum in favor of the Saints late against the Falcons.

The Atlanta Falcons were down three points, but they had the New Orleans Saints on the ropes in the fourth quarter. It appeared the Saints were about to let another game slip through their grips, until Tyrann Mathieu intercepted Kirk Cousins on the Falcons’ second to last possession of the game.

In his post game press conference, Darren Rizzi said, “Honey Badger’s interception at the end of the game is maybe the biggest play of the game.”

It’s definitely on the short list and hard to find another play that felt like such a turn of events. That’s what makes the play special to Rizzi. The interception happened at a moment where “started to lose momentum a little bit.”

The interception didn’t put the game away, but it stonewalled the Falcons on their closest attempt to tying the game or taking the lead.

The Falcons were at the Saints’ 44-yard line when Cousins threw the interception. The drive prior Younghoe Koo missed his third field goal of the game. The Atlanta offense was figuring out how to move the football, while New Orleans had stagnated.

Mathieu’s interception stripped the way of points away from the rival, and they didn’t get close to scoring on their only other possession.

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Tyrann Mathieu on forcing turnovers: ‘You want to touch the football’

Tyrann Mathieu hadn’t intercepted a pass since Week 3, and he was itching to touch the football. The New Orleans Saints safety delivered:

“Every now and then you itch to make more than just tackles. You want to touch the football.” You’d be unsurprised to know it was New Orleans Saints team captain Tyrann Mathieu who made that statement.

The safety made his name as a playmaker and is one of those defenders who’s really an offensive guy at heart.

Mathieu was finally able to scratch that itch. Against the Atlanta Falcons, he came down with his first interception of the season since Week 3. It came at a pivotal time in the fourth quarter. He anticipated what was coming based on formation and Cousins’ tendencies. By the Falcon formation, Mathieu knew it wasn’t going to be anything deeper than a dig route. That also is one of the quarterback’s favorite routes.

“When we played those guys the first game, it was a lot of digs. Kirk Cousins is comfortable throwing that route when he needs a play,” Mathieu said.

With that in mind, Mathieu “sat at 15 (yards)“ and broke on the pass once he read it.

The Falcons needed a play, and they went for the dig. The Saints needed a play, and Tyrann Mathieu showed he still has a nose for the ball.

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Sean Payton reveals where Broncos need to improve

Sean Payton wants the Broncos to protect the ball on offense and stop the run on defense in the second half of the season.

Halfway through the 2024 NFL season, the Denver Broncos have a winning record (5-4), but there’s plenty of room for improvement.

During his conference call with reporters earlier this week, Broncos coach Sean Payton was asked in what areas he’d like to see the team improve in the second half of the season. Payton was forthcoming with a lengthy response.

“Great question,” Payton said. “Actually at halftime this past weekend, we were right at halftime of the season I believe. I think back to one important statistic, and that deals with the running game. The consistency of us offensively rushing the football efficiently. Our continued success that we’ve had, prior to yesterday, at defending the run is going to be vital to this team winning.

“We’re minus one right now in the turnover battle. If we’re having that discussion towards the end of the season, that’s not going to be good. So that has to be something in our favor. I start with those two things off the top of my head and understanding our margin for error relative to the giveaway-takeaway ratio.

“When your program is further along and you get to a spot — we did this study the other day and it was pretty interesting — you look at the elite teams in our history, who were the best teams at surviving minus turnovers? One of the Broncos, I think the [2015] Broncos team, was one of the teams listed. Certainly the [2022] Chiefs. These teams, they won 80% of their games when they were minus in the giveaway-takeaway. So obviously, their margin for error was much different.

“I think of the rushing game, both offensively and defensively. I think certainly our return units in the kicking game with Marvin [Mims] and what we’re trying to do from a punt-return standpoint. Then us being able to defend the run. If we’re having problems defending the run, or we’re having problems and not having the ability to blow the game down and play it on our terms, I think it’s going to be challenging for us to accomplish our goals.”

Payton’s comments essentially boiled down to stop the run on defense and protect the ball on offense. The Broncos have allowed 108.7 rushing yards per game this season. That ranks ninth-best in the NFL, but they allowed Derrick Henry to rush for 106 yards last week, and he could have had more if he stayed in the game. On the turnover front, Denver has 13 giveaways (fifth-most) this season — six interceptions and seven lost fumbles.

If the Broncos are going to make the playoffs this fall, protecting the ball and shoring up the run defense will be imperative.

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WATCH: Shemar Jean-Charles rips the ball away for a must-see interception

WATCH: Saints corner Shemar Jean-Charles rips the ball away from Panthers wideout Xavier Legette for a must-see interception in his first start:

The New Orleans Saints’ defense picked up late in their game with the Carolina Panthers, especially on this play as Shemar Jean-Charles ripped the ball away from rookie Xavier Legette for an interception. Legette had all but caught and tucked away the pass, but Jean-Charles was able to get his hands between the ball and the receiver, pulling the ball away for himself instead and giving the Saints possession back.

In a game where the cornerback group is pretty much completely new aside from Alontae Taylor due to injuries, they needed someone to step up if they were to have a chance on defense. The preseason standout Jean-Charles was one such player, making an exceptional play on the defensive end in his first career start.

Steelers’ CB Beanie Bishop Jr. named Defensive Rookie of the Month

Steelers’ CB Beanie Bishop Jr. has become one of the team’s best 2024 acquisitions so far, and was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month.

K Chris Boswell isn’t the only Steelers player to earn recognition for his performance in the month of October. Rookie CB Beanie Bishop Jr., who seems to improve each week, has been named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month for his outstanding play in October. 

Bishop turned heads in Week 7 when he intercepted four-time MVP QB Aaron Rodgers not once, but twice. In Week 8, the rookie intercepted QB Daniel Jones, sealing the victory for his team. The young slot cornerback has admirably filled what appeared to be an area of concern for the Steelers heading into the 2024 season. 

With veteran CB Cameron Sutton, whose natural position is also in the slot, returning from suspension in Week 10, no one can truly justify benching Bishop after the rookie’s dominant performance in October.  Fans of the Steel City are more than excited to see what the future holds for the undrafted rookie.

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One more time: Big-man interception comes at crucial time for the Bills

One more time: Big-man interception comes at crucial time for the Bills

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Austin Johnson made a heck of a play in his team’s Week 8 win against the Seattle Seahawks, and it’s worth a second look.

If you were in attendance at Lumen Field on Sunday or watching along on television, you got to see a play that is one of the better joys in football: the big-man interception.

It’s not every week you get to it. It’s right up there with the big-man touchdown and probably falls just behind the rare big-man kick return.

The interception from the 6-4, 313-pounder also came at a crucial time in the game for the Bills.

The Seahawks were driving in Bills territory early in the second half, trying to make it a one-score game. The turnover stalled the Seahawks’ momentum, but even better for the Bills, they went on a touchdown drive directly after it.

Before moving on to Week 9, take one more look at the game-changing play from Johnson in Buffalo’s 31-10 win: