The NFC matchup directly affected the Giants’ playoff hopes. It also would determine whether Brown, wrapping up his first season with New York, would finish the regular season as the NFL’s interception king.
Brown entered the final week tied for second in the league with seven interceptions, which was one shy of the Bears’ Tim Jennings. Both games kicked off at 1 PM ET, and Brown quickly made it eight when he intercepted Michael Vick on the opening possession and returned it 48 yards, a play that eventually led to
“He would, he would,” Brown said after the game with a laugh when made aware of Jennings’ pick. “Of course, he would.”
Jennings and Brown finished their respective games – and seasons – as the top two interceptors, and depending on the later games, they look to remain that way.
“I knew he had eight, I definitely knew he had eight,” Brown continued. “Obviously I can’t keep track on the sideline, but it’s only fitting that he got one. Because it seems like every time I get something, he gets one. But it’s all good.”
Jennings’ total, like the Giants’ route to the postseason, was out of Brown’s hands. Yet he and his teammates held up their end in Week 17, holding the Eagles to a touchdown in a 42-7 rout.
“We were hoping so, but we just knew all we could do was take care of ourselves,” Brown said. “If it all fell into place, it all fell into place. Unfortunately it didn’t, but we took care of our end of it and we’re happy about that.”
Brown can also be happy about the mark he left on the defending Super Bowl champs. When he joined the Giants in the offseason, it was his fourth team in three years and his role was undefined.
“It definitely is crazy -- just going into action, Brown said. “But at the same time I was ready. I just went out there and approached every single game and just tried to play and tried to earn the trust and respect of my teammates. That’s how I tried to play all season.”
