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How Tony Jefferson Had Visions of Game-Sealing Overtime Interception

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Tony Jefferson felt this one coming.

"I've been having some visions like 'That's So Raven,'" Jefferson said after the game.

In conversations with his fellow defensive backs the night before the game, the veteran safety recalled having a weird gut feeling he couldn't shake.

Second-year cornerback Cam Hart was going to deflect a ball to him for an interception.

Jefferson said he's had these types of visions before, last coming during his time with the Giants, so that wasn't out of nowhere. It couldn't have come at a better time for the Bolts on Monday night.

"Last night we were talking, me and the corners, you could ask Cam," Jefferson said. "I literally spoke this one into existence.

"I told him tip me the ball, I'll be there," Jefferson added. "It just so happened to be that."

Hart, a handful of feet away speaking to reporters at his own locker, backed up the story.

"It's crazy because Tony and I talked about it before the game," Hart said postgame. "He told me, 'You're going to tip me a pick this game.' And it happened."

Jefferson's fourth interception sealed the deal in the overtime win over the Eagles, putting a bow on what was a rollercoaster of a primetime game.

Time and time again, the veteran safety finds himself in the right place at the right time.

This time it was for the win as he called it the biggest interception of his career thus far.

"Shoutout Jesse Minter just calling the right call," Jefferson said. "That's where it starts first, the call. Then execution is after that. Reading your keys late in the ball game, they were throwing the ball, they felt like they were in a rhythm throwing the ball.

"Just wanted to be in the right spot by doing my job," Jefferson added.

Jefferson made sure to praise the work of Hart, who made the play that allowed him to seal the game.

"Great job by my corner, Cam Hart. Came in and great awareness," Jefferson said. "I just made the play off the tip, couldn't have done it without him. Teamwork, a great play by both of us."

Hart added: "I saw the tight end go out and that's my primary. Then I saw the flash of somebody going vertical and I knew he was out there and Tony was by himself. I see Jalen [Hurts] eyeing it so just find the ball and try to make a play."

The teamwork on the final play of the game capped off a five turnover performance for the defense that was active all night.

And as Jefferson made his way to the opposite end zone to celebrate, his teammates were at a loss for words.

"I didn't know what to do," Da’Shawn Hand said after the game.

Donte Jackson added: "It was awesome, man. It was awesome. It was awesome. I don't even have the words. It was needed. Right on time. That's Tony for you."

One of the most beloved veterans in the locker room, Jefferson's made play after play since arriving to the Chargers last offseason after he spent the 2023 season retired.

He has now tallied five interceptions, five passes defensed and a forced fumble in 18 games (including playoffs) donning the powder blue.

What he brings to Jesse Minter’s with his play is one thing, but Khalil Mack said it's just the beginning of what he does for the unit in the big moments.

"Tony has always played at a high level," Mack said. "It's no surprise seeing how he's able to make those plays.

"A veteran presence, but he has all the intangibles, especially when you need him the most," Mack said.

He keeps finding the ball, and he's making the most of it — but it's not a surprise to anyone in the building.

"We want to make those plays," Mack said. "T-Jeff, he made a major play for us at the end."

"He's always around the ball, man," Jackson added. "This league loves guys who are willing to go out there and get the ball. He's always in the right place."

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