Jalen Carter’s meltdown moment could hand Chiefs huge edge in Week 2

The Philadelphia Eagles’ title defense started on the right foot, with a 24-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL's season-opening matchup. The victory, however, came with a potential loss looking ahead on the schedule, one that could cost them dearly in their scheduled Week 2 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Six seconds into the game against the Cowboys, Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected for spitting on quarterback Dak Prescott.

Carter later apologized for the incident, which came after he said he believed that Prescott was spitting toward him, but that won’t erase what happened or its consequences. The NFL is expected to review the play and could even hand down a suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct. If that happens, Carter would be out when the Eagles visit Arrowhead in Week 2.

Fair or not, the Eagles could be in big trouble in the trenches in Week 2 if the NFL levies further punishment on Jalen Carter.

That’s not just any game for Philly or K.C. It’s a rematch of Super Bowl LIX, where the Chiefs’ bid for a historic three-peat was derailed in humiliating fashion. The 40-22 final score suggests a much closer affair than it was, as the Eagles controlled the night from start to finish. The key to the game: a relentless pass rush led by Jalen Carter.

Even when he was drafted at No. 9 overall, Carter was considered a steal for the Eagles, given his dominance for the Georgia Bulldogs. He entered the NFL as the runner-up Defensive Rookie of the Year and made his first Pro Bowl in 2024. In his third season, he's poised to become a household name, if he's not there already.

If Carter is taken out of the equation, however, that's a game-changer for the Chiefs in myriad ways. At that point, the load on Kingsley Suamataia as he eases further into the left guard role is lessened. It also stymies the Eagles' efforts to match the dominance up front of Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith.

Like Chiefs superstar Chris Jones, Carter's presence alters the job descriptions and demands on everyone else. Consequently, his availability (or lack of it) will be a significant factor in the Chiefs' game-planning for Week 2.

If Carter is suspended, Kansas City will hold an advantage in the trenches, and that might be all Patrick Mahomes needs to make Week 2 feel like payback.