« Pats excited to play in Super Bowl XLII | Main | Red Zone Stops »

January 20, 2008

Asante Samuel intercepts fifth career playoff pass

By ROBERT LEE
Journal Sports Writer

FOXBORO -- San Diego coach Norv Turner said that New England "franchise" defensive back Asante Samuel's interception of a Philip Rivers pass intended for Chris Chambers in the second quarter was the difference in yesterday's 21-12 New England AFC Championship victory.

"[Rivers] tried to get the ball to Chris and Samuel made a great play," Turner said. "Chris had his hands on the ball, Samuel went up and got it and when you look back, that's probably the difference in the game. They end up getting a touchdown off a short field and that was a big part of it."

Samuel returned the pick 10 yards to the Chargers 24 yard line and Tom Brady threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jabar Gaffney two plays later to put the Pats ahead, 14-6. It was Samuel's fifth interception in the postseason of his career and his fifth interception in his last seven postseason games dating back to the 2005 season.

"I think it was one of the big plays of the game," Samuel said. "The offense was struggling a little bit so to get the ball for them to get it in foreign territory and to get the touchdown was good. It was a momentum-changer and we won.

"It was a team effort and we played good as a defense and we won. We're happy about it. One more game man. One more game."

Posted by Rob Lee  at 9:26 PM to Asante Samuel | Permalink