McCourty's consistency is the key, and he knows that. He started to make some plays, with the interception serving as one of the biggest of the 27-24 victory against the Dolphins. McCourty jumped on Matt Moore's underthrown attempt for Brian Hartline to intercept the pass at the New England 2-yard line, and he played the ball through its entire downward trajectory, which has been his biggest problem this season.
"If I knew, I would fix it," McCourty said of that very issue. "Just being able to make that play was big. When it comes again, I've got to make that play to help this team."
McCourty said earlier in the week that he's been mad at himself for being shut out in the interception department, particularly since he had seven during his Pro Bowl rookie campaign. He doesn't have to worry about the goose egg anymore.
"Hopefully it means many more," McCourty said. "Going out and making a big play, I think helped the team out a lot [Saturday], so I was happy about that."
McCourty definitely had his struggles — a third-down pass interference penalty and giving up a pair of long passes to wide receiver Brandon Marshall were the most egregious — but the feeling is that he's starting to figure it out.
Of course, it's not going to click, but a gradual progression at this point in the season is a good sign considering where he was midway through the schedule. Since McCourty's poor first half in Washington, he's been much better, and it's important for him to continue the upward trend as the playoffs get closer and closer.
His confidence is a key part of his game, too, so the interception should help in that department. It wasn't as much about finally registering that pick, either, as it was about his play that gave the offense the opportunity to kick a go-ahead field goal in the fourth quarter.
"Whenever you can make an interception to keep points off the board for them, a lot of times if we're able to make a play and give the ball back to our offense, it will mean points for us," McCourty said. "It's a nice swing in the game.
"Now, it's just being more consistent with it. I had some very good plays out there [Saturdy], and then had some poor plays. [It's about] being more consistent and keeping the good plays rolling."
