Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter made headlines during Philadelphia's Super Bowl rematch against the Chiefs in Week 11 on a play that didn't actually work — but it's one that we could see more often in the NFL.
With the Chiefs driving down the field late in the second quarter, Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes and the offense rushed up the line of scrimmage to spike the ball, stopping the clock with three seconds to allow kicker Harrison Butker to come out for a field goal attempt. Butker sank the 43-yarder, extending the Chiefs' lead to 17-7 heading into halftime.
However, Carter caught the eyes of fans online on the spike play. As Mahomes took the snap and sent the ball into the grass, the 2023 first-round pick was seen diving at the ball, trying to intercept it before it hit the ground.
Jalen Carter was so close. pic.twitter.com/G8wkJM3DON
— NFL (@NFL) November 21, 2023
Carter was unsuccessful on his attempt, but it's sparked a conversation surrounding the play, leaving people with the question — what prompted him to try to catch the spike?
MORE: How Eagles turned Carson Wentz into Jalen Carter, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith
Here is more on the video that Carter saw with the successful spike interception.
Jalen Carter spike interception video inspiration
Following the game, Carter told reporters he was inspired to try the play after seeing a YouTube video.
"I saw it on the internet," Carter said. "I've seen it on YouTube, some high school kid tried, and he actually caught the ball."
It's true — there is a video that not only shows a player attempting to catch a spike, but pulling off the move.
In a 2021 Colorado high school game, Castle View linebacker Brody Ashworth intercepted the spike attempt by Mountain Vista freshman quarterback Austyn Modrzewski (now a highly rated recruit). The play saved the game for Castle View, as Mountain Vista was spiking the ball to stop the clock and set up a potential game-winning field goal with 19 seconds left.
Instead, it was a turnover and Castle View held on for the 42-41 victory.
Castle View wasn't the only team to successfully pull it off. There is another video on YouTube from eight years ago that shows a lineman diving and scooping up the ball before it hits the ground.
It's unclear where it took place and who the teams were involved, but you can see a defensive player come up with the play and the official signal for the change of possession. .
Jason and Travis Kelce discussed Carter's play on an episode of their "New Heights" podcast, and the Eagles offensive lineman revealed that Carter had actually already tried the same maneuver in practice once.
"I don't know what I would do if somebody did it in a game," the longtime Philadelphia center said. "I don't know how I would respond. I wonder what was going through (Chiefs center) Creed (Humphrey's) head. Like what f— is going on right now?"
Of course, not every lineman has the ability to make a sensational grab like that. However, not every lineman is as freakishly athletic as the 6-3, 314 Eagles rookie who is a beast coming off the line of scrimmage.
Could Carter's decision lead to more attempts at intercepting the ball on a spike play? It's possible. Either way, offenses may be on higher alert when it comes to clocking the pigskin, thanks to Carter.
