K.J. Henry’s Game-Changing Pick-6 Propels Browns Past Eagles in Preseason Showdown

Football Nation
Aug 20
3 min read

K.J. Henry’s Game-Changing Pick-6 Propels Browns Past Eagles in Preseason Showdown

When your rookie quarterback is sidelined, the defense better bring their A-game and that’s exactly what Cleveland’s K.J. Henry delivered on Saturday night. With Shedeur Sanders out injured, Henry scooped up a Dorian Thompson-Robinson interception and sprinted 45 yards to the end zone, lighting a fire under the Browns and helping them take a 22-13 win in Philadelphia.

This wasn’t a battle of stars, though. With most starting players resting no Jalen Hurts or Saquon Barkley for the Eagles, and Myles Garrett and Jerry Jeudy taking a breather for the Browns the spotlight was on the rookies and bench players scrapping for playing time.

Rookies Steal the Show on Both Sides

The Eagles’ draft picks made a memorable statement. Safety Andrew Mukuba, back from an early camp shoulder injury, snagged a 75-yard interception that gave Philly an early lead. The Longhorns fan even had a personal cheerleader in actor Matthew McConaughey, whose social media shoutout during the draft made Mukuba’s night feel like a Hollywood moment.

Linebacker Jihaad Campbell also showed his worth, putting pressure on the Browns’ quarterback with a sack on just the second snap. Eagles fans might be seeing the early pieces of a strong defensive core emerge.

Cleveland’s Quarterback Shuffle

With rookies and backups rotating under center, Cleveland’s offense was a mixed bag. Dillon Gabriel, stepping in for the injured Shedeur Sanders, looked comfortable enough, completing 13 of 18 passes for 143 yards. But his eagerness led to a pick-6 that shifted momentum. Tyler “Snoop” Huntley eased in for the second half, showing steady hands with 71 yards, while hometown boy Kyle McCord an Eagles fan growing up nearby got his debut and tossed a touchdown to wrap up the scoring.

Coach Kevin Stefanski was cautious with his QBs, waiting until game day to confirm Gabriel’s starter status and emphasizing player safety. “You have to protect guys from themselves sometimes,” Stefanski said. “They want to play, but we have to make sure they're ready to perform.”

Offensive Struggles and Defensive Highlights for Eagles

The Eagles’ offense struggled to find traction, putting up just 88 total yards against Cleveland’s reserve defense. Backup QB Tanner McKee and others had a quiet night, a far cry from the excitement expected in preseason play. But defensively, the rookie trio of Mukuba, Campbell, and others kept the Browns honest including a fumble recovery and pass breakups critical to maintaining the game’s intensity.

Injuries and What’s Next

Shedeur Sanders watched from the sideline with a towel over his head after suffering an oblique injury earlier in the week and is listed as day-to-day. Veteran Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett also rested to nurse their own injuries. Meanwhile, the Eagles continue to juggle the sidelines after losing key player Landon Dickerson to a knee injury with an uncertain timeline for return.

Looking ahead, the Browns are set to host the Los Angeles Rams next Saturday, while the Eagles hit the road to take on the New York Jets on Friday. Both teams will be hoping their healthy starters make a stronger impact in the preseason finale.

Quick Hits & Fun Facts

K.J. Henry’s pick-6 was the decisive blow in a game low on flashy offense but high on defensive hustle.
Andrew Mukuba’s 75-yard interception return was the longest scoring play of the game.
Kyle McCord, a Browns rookie from Mount Laurel, NJ, got to face his childhood favorite team and threw a touchdown to boot.
Both teams leaned on their depth, giving a glimpse at the next wave of talent hungry to make an NFL roster.

This preseason isn’t about the stars just yet it’s about the grinders, the rookies, and the hopefuls earning every snap under the bright lights. With the regular season still weeks away, both teams have plenty to figure out, and we’ll be watching closely as these young players compete for roster spots and playing time.

Final Score

Cleveland Browns 22
Philadelphia Eagles 13

Scoring by Quarter

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Total
Browns	6	6	7	3	22
Eagles	0	13	0	0	13

Passing Stats

Team	Player	Comp/Att	Yards	TD	INT
Browns	Dillon Gabriel	13/18	143	0	1
Browns	Tyler Huntley	10/13	71	0	0
Browns	Kyle McCord	8/16	47	1	0
Eagles	Dorian Thompson-Robinson	5/8	17	0	1
Eagles	Kyle McCord	8/16	47	1	0