Ravens pick off playoff win

Ravens pick off playoff win
January 5 Baltimore Sun

"If the Ravens make this road trek to the Super Bowl, they will remember that it began with a marathon run by Ed Reed.

Zigzagging his way for a 64-yard interception return for a touchdown -- the longest in Ravens postseason history -- Reed delivered the game-turning blow in a 27-9 win over the Miami Dolphins today.

The first sixth seed to win in the first round since the 2005 season, the Ravens advanced to the AFC divisional round to play at the top-seeded Tennessee Titans on Saturday. One more win would send the Ravens to the AFC championship game.

"Here we come," said Reed, who accounted for two of the Ravens' five takeaways. "Here come the Ravens. The team you don't want to see."

Like the Ravens did in their previous playoff victory -- which came seven years ago -- they won with defense. And no one is more feared on this defense than Reed.

With the score tied at 3 in the second quarter, Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington threw a wild pass downfield. It was so wild that Reed had to extend his arms and make an over-the-shoulder catch.

Quickly circling around while holding the ball extended in his left hand, Reed went from the right side of the field to the left, before cutting back to the right, where the Ravens' defense had set up a wall.

Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata provided the first key block, lowering his shoulder to knock wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. off his feet. Then, defensive end-linebacker Terrell Suggs provided the final block, squashing Pennington to the ground.

The Ngata knockdown had a purpose.

"Honestly, I saw three guys," Ngata said. "I looked at the fastest guy that could catch Ed Reed. It was Ted Ginn."

That allowed Reed to stroll into the end zone for his 12th career touchdown and fourth of the season. But this was his first in three playoff games.

"He's maybe the best player in the game," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said."Link