In a game that the Philadelphia Eagles have to have in terms of playoff positioning, rookie safety Sydney Brown made the biggest play of his young career.
With the Eagles leading 7-3, but quarterback Kyler Murray and the Cardinals threatening in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Brown picked off Murray before bobbing and weaving through the Cardinals' offense on a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Brown picked up some key blocks from his teammates en-route to the end zone, after essentially playing center field to pull down the easy catch for the interception.
SYDNEY BROWN 99-YARD PICK-6! @Eagles
?: #AZvsPHI on FOX
?: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/sFjqko01pD pic.twitter.com/6ZTtVKPu9a— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023
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The Eagles entered Sunday's contest trying to build some momentum off a Christmas Day victory over the New York Giants, but seemingly in a bit of a funk over the past month that included losses to the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, and Seattle Seahawks. A play like Brown's pick-six could be the type of moment that gives a team of the Eagles' caliber some of its mojo back.
Brown, chosen by the Eagles with the No. 66 overall pick in the third-round of April's 2023 NFL Draft, entered Sunday's contest with 28 tackles with one forced fumble. His first interception was certainly a memorable and impactful one.
A former standout at the University of Illinois, Brown logged 320 total tackles with 10 interceptions, two sacks, and 16 pass breakups across five seasons with the Illini.
Sunday's game carries major implications for the Eagles. A victory over the Cardinals would keep pace with the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East race, and Philadelphia alive for the No. 1 seed in the NFC Playoffs, should the San Francisco 49ers falter in either of their final two games of the season.
