FOXBORO -- The New England Patriots' Asante Samuel left Gillette Stadium juggling three footballs after Sunday's 17-13 victory over the Chicago Bears.

Each one represented an interception the Pats cornerback made in the game, and as a result of his performance, Samuel was named the AFC's Defensive Player of the Week by the league yesterday.

The third-year pro sealed New England's margin of victory when he intercepted the Bears' Rex Grossman with 1:52 remaining in regulation with the Patriots clinging to a four-point lead.

"Samuel played at a Pro Bowl level," said teammate Richard Seymour on Sunday. "We really needed someone in the secondary to really step up and make plays for us. He is a really talented guy, so it's no surprise that he had the type of performance he did. It doesn't surprise the guys on this football team because we definitely know he has the talent and can get it done on any given Sunday."

The last Patriots player to record three interceptions in a regular-season game was Roland James , in a 31-0 rout of the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 23, 1983.

Joining Samuel as the league's players of the week are Colts running back Joseph Addai (offense) and Bills wide receiver/punt returner Roscoe Parrish (special teams).

Samuel is the third Patriots player this season to earn a weekly award, joining defensive end Jarvis Green (week four) and running back/kick returner Laurence Maroney (week seven).

Kitna's been formidable

Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna enters this weekend's game against the Patriots as the third-ranked passer in the league with 2,876 yards. The 34-year-old is third in completions (251) and second in attempts (404). Still, the Lions are only 2-9 with Kitna at the helm. His main target, wide receiver Roy Williams , is second in the league with 993 receiving yards. Despite the solid individual efforts of both players, it's been a bittersweet season.

"He's a competitive person," said Williams of his QB. "He's probably the most competitive person on this football team."

Kitna gained some praise from New England coach Bill Belichick .

"He's done a pretty good job," said the coach. "He's had a real productive year."

No worse for the wear

The Patriots' Tom Brady walked through the locker room yesterday wearing a treatment brace on his right shoulder. It's the time of the year when players feel the affects of getting banged around on a regular basis. The New England quarterback was asked during his weekly press conference if his back was sore, because Troy Aikman mentioned it on the air during last Sunday's game. Brady disagreed.

"I think everything is a little sore at this point of the year," he said. "That's just the way football is. It's nothing that is going to keep me out of practice or keep me out of games. There are days when your arm is sore, days when your back is sore, when your ankle is sore. Soreness is just part of playing football. I'm probably the least sore of anybody who is standing in that locker room."

The Patriots released their injury report yesterday. Safety Rodney Harrison (shoulder) is out. Tight end Daniel Graham (ankle), cornerback Ellis Hobbs (wrist), linebacker Corey Mays (hamstring), tight end Chad Scott (groin), safety Eugene Wilson (hamstring) and tackle Ryan O'Callaghan (neck) are questionable. Brady and defensive lineman Seymour (elbow) are probable.

For Detroit: Wide receiver Devale Ellis (shoulder), defensive tackle Shaun Rogers (knee) and tackle Rex Tucker (knee) are questionable. Wide receiver Corey Bradford (illness) and defensive end Tyoka Jackson (foot) are probable.

Kraft honored again

Sports Business Journal/Sports Business Daily conducted its second annual reader survey, and Patriots chairman/CEO Robert Kraft has been named the Most Effective Owner for the second consecutive year. Brady, who was named the NFL's Most Marketable Player last year, finished second behind the Colts' Peyton Manning. jmcdonal@projo.com / (401) 277-7340