Week 2 at Arrowhead Stadium presented more than just another game for the Philadelphia Eagles; it was a test of composure for Jalen Carter after the defensive tackle’s spitting scandal against the Dallas Cowboys.
Although the defending Super Bowl champions ran out as 20-17 winners against the Kansas City Chiefs, eyes were fixed on the 24-year-old to see if he could avoid another ejection after seeing red mist in Week 1.
He was fined $57,222 between the two games and apologized for the disrespectful gesture to Dak Prescott, and seems to have put it behind him as he produced a clean afternoon at the Arrowhead Stadium.
Helping repel the pressure of a scrambling Patrick Mahomes on Sunday, September 14, he recorded two tackles (one solo) as well as three hits on the three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
He managed to keep his emotions under check, despite personalities such as Travis Kelce going up against him – with Taylor Swift‘s boyfriend being known for getting into heated exchanges on the field.
While the statistics were modest, his presence was critical in controlling the interior line, allowing the Eagles‘ linebackers and edge rushers to pressure Mahomes and limit Kansas City’s explosive plays.
This impact ultimately resulted in a costly interception as Kelce lost the ball in the end zone, allowing Philadelphia to preserve their lead just long enough to add a Tush Push touchdown to widen their lead to 19-10 in the fourth quarter.
The effort of the defense along with Saquon Barkley‘s 88-yard rushing effort and touchdown and Jalen Hurts‘ 101 passing yards and 1-yard scoring run, saw Philly extend their record to 2-0 for the season.
Those wins have come through stern tests too in the form of the Cowboys, historically NFC East frontrunners and the Chiefs, who had one of the most dominant dynasties in NFL history from 2019-2025.
“It was a mistake on my side. It just won’t happen again,” Carter said of his spit at Prescott and it seems as though he’s staying true to his word as he looks for the second ring of his career.
The lesson for Carter is clear: channeling frustration into controlled aggression can transform costly errors into stepping stones for leadership and it seems as though he has learned that lesson already.
Who do the Eagles play in Week 3? Date, time and where to watch next Philadelphia game
In Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season, the Eagles will host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, September 21, at 13:00 ET/10:00 PT) at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
The game will be broadcast nationally on FOX Sports, whilst for local coverage, fans can tune in to SportsRadio 94WIP. Streaming options include FuboTV and NFL+.
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