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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Houston nose tackle Vince Wilfork says he still isn't sure if Saturday night marked the end of his distinguished career. The two-time NFL champion and five-time Pro Bowler, who did most of his damage as a member of the New England Patriots, may have played his final game where it all began as the Texans lost 34-16 in an AFC divisional round playoff game.
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"No emotions and I will take my time and think about it," Wilfork said afterwards. "I think I have played my last football game. I will take the time and do my due diligence and sit back and see if I really want to retire."
Before the game, the bulky nose tackle heard an ovation when he was shown on the big screen coming out onto the field. When the game ended, he waved to the adoring crowd as he left a field and jogged into the tunnel.
"We will see," he said. "I don't know how long that will take. I will see, it doesn't change the fact that I've enjoyed every bit of my career. I enjoyed 11 great years in new England and enjoyed two great years in Texas with unbelievable teammates.
"I couldn't have any better teammates from both organizations and you talk about the organizations themselves and you talk about top of the class. These are two owners (New England's Robert Kraft and Houston's Bob McNair) that anyone would love to play for."
--The divisional playoff game turned into a bit of a scarlet night as all three New England interceptions were made by Rutgers Scarlet Knights alums -- Devin McCourty, Logan Ryan and Duron Harmon.
"We got three interceptions in the Carolina preseason game, but it's nothing like getting it in a playoff game," Harmon said. "Just seeing just all the hard work that we put it and it's paying off ... is pretty special, especially with those two other guys."
"He (coach Bill Belichick) gave us a shout out. He's probably gonna have some other words to shout at us (in) our meeting, but I'll take it for right now."
Said Belichick, who had several things to be unhappy about in this win: "Big day for Rutgers. Big day for Rutgers. They all had interceptions and we love to see that. Love to see it from anybody but especially ... we got three of them."
--Julian Edelman caught only two passes in the first half. But the second broke Wes Welker's postseason franchise record for catches. He then had six more grabs in the second half.
Edelman has 76 postseason catches, good for a tie for seventh place on the all-time NFL list. Jerry Rice is the all-time leader with 151, 58 more than second-place Reggie Wayne.
"Jules did a great job," quarterback Tom Brady said. "He always does. He's a huge playmaker for us. With his ability to create separation and make plays down the field ... he did a bunch of that tonight, so, he did a great job."
