Ninkovich finds redemption in win over Broncos

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FOXBORO -- "No more Tim Tebow talk," Rob Ninkovich said Saturday night.

He had earned the right.

The Patriots embarrassed Denver, 45-10, not half an hour earlier; Ninkovich had played like a man possessed.

New England nailed seven points to the board in the first two minutes of the game. Denver had to fight through the whiplash to try and answer. Tim Tebow went into shotgun at the New England 37 on second-and-6. Ninkovich was ready. He muscled through the Denver line and shot after Tebow, forcing a fumble on a strip-sack.

Ninkovich planted his foot on the Broncos' throat. And he kept it there all night.

"Playing against a guy like Tim Tebow, you've got to give him a ton of credit. You've got to prepare for him all week," Ninkovich said in the postgame. "He's a guy that can run the option, get out of the pocket and do things on the run. We just stressed all week on keeping him contained, keeping the run contained, not letting the ball outside ... just being all solid in communication."

So the inspiration was a promise made to himself. As soon as the topic was raised in the locker room -- of setting the edge, not getting beaten on the outside -- Ninkovich blinked away all revelry. It was as though his plan had been uncovered.

This was a grudge match.

"The first series down in Denver they were able to get the ball down the edge a couple times. As being outside linebacker, that really falls on my shoulders so I took that to heart," Ninkovich said. "You've got to set the edge, you've got to be strong. Coming into this game I wanted to make sure I was able to do that for everybody."

Denver's first drive in Week 15 ended with a Tebow touchdown. Nine yards out from the goal line, Tebow sold a play-fake left, then set off to the right. Ninkovich tried to recover, wrapping his arms around the quarterback's waist, but Tebow broke free and pinballed into the end zone.

When Ninkovich spoke after Saturday's playoff win, his words were shaded by every play the Broncos made on him four weeks ago. The Patriots won that December day, 41-23, but first had to pull themselves out of a 21-point hole dug by Denver's ground game. Tebow's first drive touchdown was just the beginning. He added another score to 93 yards rushing and 194 passing.

Ninkovich couldn't let it happen again.

"It's difficult. When you're out there playing you want to go one way, because you see Tebow and you know he has the ability to get outside and really hurt your team. So you've just got to be disciplined in your responsibilities."

"Discipline" is the perfect word.

When Tebow threatened the edge on a third-and-4 option play, Ninkovich kept his eye on the QB but stuck to his man on the outside, forcing Tebow back into the middle. The 1-yard gain was useless; Denver punted.

Staying home paid dividends like that all night. The Patriots linebacker finished with five tackles (including one for a loss), 1.5 sacks, two quarterback hits, and the first quarter forced fumble. Tebow was held to 13 yards rushing.

But the most satisfying thing, now, for Ninkovich? Sweet silence.

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