Pats DE Ninkovich has nose for finding the ball

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - Rob Ninkovich has a knack for forcing fumbles. He's also pretty good at recovering them.

And in the New England Patriots' 41-28 divisional playoff win over the Houston Texans last Sunday, he had an interception and recovered an onside kick in the second half.

Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty attributes that to hustle.

Ninkovich has recovered nine opponents' fumbles in the past three seasons, the most by any NFL defensive player in that span. Four of them came this season.

On Sunday, he hopes to get some more when the Patriots (13-4) host the Baltimore Ravens (12-6) in the AFC championship game.

He even forced a fumble and recovered it on the same play. That ended the Patriots 29-26 overtime win over the New York Jets on Oct. 21.

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