These Chiefs defenders recorded career 1sts in dominant victory over Washington
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- Chiefs defenders Mike Danna and Jack Cochrane each recorded first career interceptions.
- Danna added a sack and both picks bookended the 28-7 win over Washington.
- Chiefs defense held Washington to 260 yards and 60 rushing yards total.
In a combined 10 NFL seasons and 131 games entering Monday, neither Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna nor linebacker Jack Cochrane had recorded a takeaway.
After the Chiefs’ 28-7 triumph over the Washington Commanders, that is no longer true.
Danna and Cochrane each grabbed an interception. The turnovers served as bookends on the night.
Danna’s pick — he secured the ball after it deflected off Deebo Samuel’s helmet — ending the Commanders’ first possession. Cochrane’s diving grab ended Washington’s last drive.
For the fourth-year pro Cochrane, this was his first interception since senior season at South Dakota.
“It’s been a few years,” he said.
The ball was with the Chiefs’ equipment crew after the game.
“I’m hoping to get it back,” Cochrane said.
At least Cochrane was familiar with the feeling of snaring an interception. Not so for Danna.
“I ain’t ever had an interception before, at any level,” Danna said. “Not even in high school. I had a 60-yard scoop-and-score, maybe two of them (in high school). But no interceptions.”
That’s why Danna ran to the end zone in celebration. A defensive lineman pulling down an interception is a rare thing. The Chiefs haven’t had one since 2021, when Turk Wharton got a pick ... against Washington in the last meeting between the teams.
“I was gifted the interception, it was in my hands,” Danna said. “We pride ourselves in hustling to the ball. We take that stuff to heart. ...
“It was in slow-motion. You know, those opportunities don’t come that often.”
Danna didn’t stop at the interception. He added his first sack of the season, dropping Commanders QB Marcus Mariota in the third quarter for a nine-yard loss. Danna came in unblocked and didn’t allow Mariota to elude him.
“Big night all around for Mike Danna,” said defensive end George Karlaftis, who also got a sack, raising his team lead to 4 1/2. “He was the player of the game.”
At the least, he’d share the honor with Cochrane. They were part of a defense that held the Commanders to 260 total yards, with a mere 66 coming in the second half. For the game, Washington rushed for just 60.
“Hat’s off to all levels of the defense,” Danna said. “The d-line, linebackers and D-backs, everybody played well. We wanted to come out in the second half and make a statement and that’s what we did.”