FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots defensive back Duron Harmon called his interception late in Saturday’s 35-31 win the biggest pick of his life.
Harmon essentially sealed the game when he intercepted Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco in the end zone on a pass intended for wide receiver Torrey Smith with 1:46 remaining in the game.
Harmon said he was expecting to make a key play in Saturday’s AFC divisional playoff.
“I was telling my family all week that I was going to get a pick in this game, and I’m just glad that it came at that time,” Harmon said. “There was no better time [for the interception] to come than the end of the game.”
Harmon thought he had a great week of practice and cracked a joke about predicting his game-sealing interception.
“I feel like I’m going to get a pick every week though, so I’m like 2-for-17 this year," he said.
Cornerback Darrelle Revis was informed by reporters that Harmon “called” his key interception.
“That’s great,” Revis said. “I like the confidence.”
Cornerback Brandon Browner dubbed Harmon “The Closer," and likened his clutch interception to how a baseball closer finishes off an opponent.
Harmon played sparingly, on 19 of 77 defensive snaps, but he came up big when his team needed it.
“[Duron] can’t wait for the opportunity to get in there on whatever situation it is,” safety Devin McCourty said. “He took advantage of knowing what was coming and going out there and making a play.”
A point of emphasis for the Patriots during their week of preparation was defending against Flacco’s deep passes.
“Duron played the ball well, went up and high-pointed it,” coach Bill Belichick said. “We worked really hard this week on defending the long balls. Obviously, that’s a great strength of the Ravens and Flacco.”
Harmon was humbled to have taken part in the team’s comeback victory.
“I can definitely appreciate it, man,” Harmon said. “For this to be one of the better games, I’m just appreciative I was able to take a part of it and make a play in a game like this.”