New England Patriots: Top 5 AFC Championship game moments
By Justin Keene
3. Rodney Harrison interception – Pittsburgh Steelers (2004)
The New England Patriots traveled to Pittsburgh to visit the 15-1 Steelers, led by rookie quarterback Ben Roethisberger. This was the last time the Patriots won an AFC title game on the road, winning 41-27.
Late in the second quarter, down 17-3, the Steelers were driving and looking to score before halftime. Big Ben passed to the right, intended for Jermane Tuman. Rodney Harrison jumped the route and took the ball to the end zone, giving the New England a 24-3 lead and swinging momentum in the Patriots’ favor.
The Steelers got 24 points on the board in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to match the Patriots. New England advanced to Super Bowl XXXIX and beat the Eagles to win their third championship in 4 years.