Brandon Spikes Says One-Handed Interception Against Ravens Is Biggest Play of His Career

FOXBORO, Mass. — Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes has made a ton of great plays in his career. The two-time consensus All-American won a pair of national championships at Florida, and he always showed up when the spotlight was shining during his days in Gainesville.

During Sunday's 23-20 victory against the Ravens in the AFC Championship, Spikes made his biggest play as a pro. And to take it a step further, he said his one-handed interception in the fourth quarter was the biggest play of his life.

"You could say that, but as long as we got the W," Spikes said. "I'm about wins. It doesn't matter if I made that play. As long as we got the win, I'm happy."

Spikes was in his third game back since he missed seven in a row with a knee injury, and he was integral in the Patriots' run defense with a team-high nine total tackles.

His play in pass coverage was the big one, though, as he snagged Joe Flacco's pass out of the air with his right hand, pulled it into his body and returned it 19 yards to midfield. It caused the press box at Gillette Stadium to shake wildly, as the crowd erupted in celebration.

Spikes said it was the first one-handed stab of his career.

"I had a few in the backyard when I was younger," Spikes said. [But] not in a big game like this."

What do you think?  Leave a comment.

Have a question for Jeff Howe? Send it to him via Twitter at @jeffphowe or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.