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tw i n c i t y do dge presents: boilermakers in the nfl Ninkovich Comes Up Big Again BY KYLE CHARTERS KCharters@GoldandBlack.com ob made habit this RrightNinkovich hasup with aa big play at season of coming the moment. And he did so again in New England's Divisional Playoff victory over Houston on Sunday. In the third quarter of the Patriots' 41-28 win, Ninkovich leaped into the air to pick off Matt Schaub's pass. It was only the latest in what's been a season-long trend, with Ninkovich making gamechanging play after game-changing play. "I can't explain that," Ninkovich told the Boston Globe. "I mean, I guess I'm just blessed. Certain times it's right place, right time. Good call by the coaches to put me in those situations. I'm just happy that I'm able to make those plays and help the team." Ninkovich's interception came with 4:20 left in the third quarter, with New England holding a 24-13 lead. But the Texans were driving, down to the Patriots' 37-yard line. Ninkovich ended it, however, with the pick and New England scored six plays later, extending its lead to 31-13. "He's had a great season," coach Bill Belichick said. "His production is right up there at the very top of the league at his position. He's made big plays for us in the past — sacks, strips, fumbles, recovered fumbles, tackles for loss, all that. We know he's got good hands. He's had many interceptions before; made a great play there. "We blitzed from the outside, he nfl boilers A look at Boilermakers in the NFL playoffs, their roles and their Divisional Playoff statistics. New England Patriots (13-4, 41-28 win over Houston; host Baltimore at 6:30 p.m. Sunday) #90 LB Niko Koutouvides: Reserve; 1 special teams assist #50 LB/DE Rob Ninkovich: Starter; 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QH, 1 int., 2 passes defensed Baltimore Ravens (12-6, 38-35 double overtime win at Denver; play at New England at 6:30 p.m. Sunday) #31 SS Bernard Pollard: Starter; 2 tackles, 1 pass defensed Green Bay Packers (12-6, 45-31 loss at San Francisco) #96 DE Mike Neal: Reserve; None dropped down inside, got underneath the route, and really made a great catch on the ball. It was a high, tough catch, but Rob's a good athlete. He makes it look easy, he catches the ball well. That was a huge play for us, big stop, and we were able to convert that Patriots.com into points offensively. That was a Rob Ninkovich's third-quarter interception helped the Patriots seal their big, key play in the game for us." Houston, putting Ninkovich was making a re- victory overstraight season. New England in the AFC Championship for the second turn to the Pats after suffering a In the days leading up to the game, he hip injury in the regular-season was in no mood to talk injuries. finale two weeks ago. But the bye, earned "I mean, that's in the past,"he told the Bosafter New England received the second seed ton Herald. "I want to just move on from that. in the AFC, gave Ninkovich time to recover. He showed little sign of injury. The de- I'm focused in on Houston right now." • New Orleans QB Drew Brees was selectfensive end, who led the Pats in sacks this ed to play in the Pro Bowl as an injury replaceseason with eight, also had four tackles, ment for Washington QB Robert Griffin III. j including one for a loss, vs. Houston. TWIN CITY DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM 650 Sagamore Parkway South Lafayette, IN 47905 See the 2013 Jeep Wrangler! 800-562-4581 twincitysuperstore.com GoldanDBlack express • volume 23, express 17 • 26