Haloti Ngata

Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata watched Sunday's AFC divisional playoff game between the New England Patriots and Houston Texans closely, homing in on what each offense was doing and the battles in the trenches. He wasn't openly rooting for either team, but in his mind - and he says in the minds of other Ravens - there was one scenario that the team preferred: a trip back to Gillette Stadium for an opportunity to go to the Super Bowl. "I think we, personally, kind of wanted to play the Patriots again," Ngata said.

You can see it in his gingerly gate as he moves from his locker to the shower area, in the way he leans against a wall to take pressure off his right knee. Haloti Ngata's remarkable body hurts. This is easy enough to forget when you watch the Ravens on Sundays. The television announcers are more apt to talk about Terrell Suggs' Achilles or Ray Lewis' triceps. The camera, always following the ball, rarely settles on the trench warfare between Ngata and two or three offensive linemen nearly as big and powerful as he. His teammates know.

As the Ravens begin preparations for Saturday's AFC divisional playoff game against Denver, the first thing they should do is break out the picture of quarterback Joe Flacco lying face down on the turf at M&T Bank Stadium. On that day nearly four weeks ago, the Broncos left the Ravens lying helpless after a 34-17 win. Few questioned the Ravens' performance but many questioned their hearts. So, that has to be a great motivation going into the Mile High City on Saturday. The Ravens would have been in a better position if the script had played out and they were going to Houston, but that's not the case.

The Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck is one of three rookie quarterbacks in the NFL playoffs this season. Historically, the Ravens have played well against teams with first-year passers leading the offense. Rookie quarterbacks are 2-6 - and winless in the playoffs - against the Ravens since John Harbaugh became their coach before the 2008 season. “I can't tell you any secrets, but we've got a little niche going,” defensive tackle Arthur Jones said. “We definitely have something going that you'll see on Sunday.

Right guard Marshal Yanda and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata were not on the field today in the Ravens' final full practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Yanda, who is dealing with knee and shoulder injuries, and Ngata, who has a knee injury, haven't practiced all week. Traditionally, Ravens who don't practice at all do not play that week. Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees said yesterday that Ngata was "getting some well-deserved rest.

Haloti Ngata, who was just named to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl Wednesday night, did not practice for the second straight day, but defensive coordinator Dean Pees said he has no concerns about the defensive tackle's availability for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. “I think he's getting there,” Pees said of Ngata, who has been dealing with shoulder and knee injuries. “He's been banged up, it seems like, kind of all year here and there. But he's getting some well-deserved rest.” In addition to Ngata, fullback Vonta Leach and right guard Marshal Yanda sat out Thursday's session.

Safety Bernard Pollard , who has missed the past two games after aggravating a rib/chest injury, returned to practice Wednesday. It's his first appearance at practice since the days leading up to the Ravens' Dec. 9 game against the Washington Redskins. The only two Ravens missing from practice Wednesday were right guard Marshal Yanda (ankle) and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (knee/shoulder). Yanda and Ngata both played in Sunday's victory against the New York Giants.

Brendon Ayanbadejo didn't make a fourth consecutive start on Sunday, but the inside linebacker still made a sizable contribution in the Ravens' 33-14 pasting of the New York Giants. Ayanbadejo finished with three tackles, including one sack and two quarterback hits. Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and rookie free safety Omar Brown also posted sacks of Giants quarterback Eli Manning, and Ayanbadejo tied strong safety James Ihedigbo and defensive tackle Arthur Jones for the team lead in quarterback hits.

Flustered, harassed and repeatedly knocked to the ground by a relentless Ravens defense, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning couldn't get his bearings Sunday. Defensive coordinator Dean Pees stuck with an aggressive approach, blitzing defenders and using unusual alignments. He occasionally utilized safeties James Ihedigbo and Omar Brown as edge pass rushers lined up outside the tackles and shifted outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw to nose guard.