Sep/22/08 11:27 PM Filed in:
Ray LewisBaltimore- Ray Lewis dropped an interception just before halftime. Early in the third quarter, Baltimore's inside linebacker delivered the pivotal hit.
His collision with Browns tight end Kellen Winslow led to Chris McAlister's interception and triggered a 21-point flurry to help the Ravens rally for a 28-10 victory Sunday.
The play energized Baltimore's defense, which notched three interceptions and registered five sacks against Browns quarterback Derek Anderson.
Lewis, a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and MVP of Super Bowl XXXV, added four solo tackles.
"Were ya'll shocked?" said Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs, who posted two sacks. "I knew it was coming. It was just a matter of when."
Down, 10-7, Baltimore had to cope with watching a teammate, safety Dawan Landry, strapped to a gurney carried off the field late in the second quarter. At halftime, Lewis rallied the team, Suggs said.
"I don't think there is a more vocal leader, and just a leader, period, in the NFL than Ray Lewis," Suggs said. "He knew we had to make a play."
Three plays into the third, with the Browns facing third-and-3 on its 17-yard line, Lewis struck. He hit Winslow, who was running a 7-yard route in the middle of the field.
The ball fell into the arms of McAlister, who returned it to the Cleveland 12. Four plays later Le'Ron McClain scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to put Baltimore ahead for good.
Lewis said he didn't think Anderson would make that throw.
"I had two choices," Lewis, a 13-year veteran, said. "Either go for the interception or the receiver."
Baltimore cornerback Samari Rolle said Lewis relies on instincts.
"People put entirely too much emphasis on age," Rolle said. "He knows the game. He's the greatest middle linebacker in history of this league."
Reed said extensive film study helped lead to his 32-yard interception return for a touchdown on Cleveland's next possession on Anderson's throw behind Syndric Steptoe.
Reed said the Browns ran the identical play two downs earlier. He told McAlister to provide deep coverage so he could play the ball.
"I just felt it," said Reed, who posted his ninth career interception return for a score. "I knew that was it. So when [Anderson] threw it, I just thought, 'Catch it.' "
(cleveland.com)