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 Sunday's 21-12 New England 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 postseason interception of his career and his fifth 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."

-ROBERT LEE