Patriots’ Adrian Phillips earns weekly award after clutch game vs Chargers
Patriots safety Adrian Phillips outdid himself against the Chargers, delivering a clutch performance in a big Week 8 win to cap a very good first half of the season. The NFL has now rewarded Phillips for his efforts.
Phillips was officially named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 8 on Wednesday morning. He certainly earned it, after making a game-changing interception return for a touchdown against Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. The pick-six and the ensuing two-point conversion put the Patriots up 24-17 in the fourth quarter, and the Pats ended up escaping L.A. with a 27-24 win.
GO ADRIAN!!@Phillips_17 pick-six for the lead!
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 31, 2021
📺: @NFLonCBS / Patriots app pic.twitter.com/bCYNtoNJbX
The touchdown wasn’t Phillips’ only big play. He also picked off Herbert late in the first half, which helped the Patriots cut the Chargers’ lead to 14-13 before halftime.
He wanted to play a game 🤡@Phillips_17 INT
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 31, 2021
📺: @NFLonCBS / Patriots app pic.twitter.com/zoLqmQY7RC
Phillips is now up to three interceptions, 37 total tackles, and a quarterback hit in eight games (six starts) for the Patriots. He’s played the fifth-most defensive snaps on the Patriots (440), 81.5 percent of the total.
MORE: Patriots-Chargers Ups & Downs
Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
