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Sports

With 4 fumble recoveries, Patriots DE Rob Ninkovich has knack for coming up with loose ball

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    New England Patriots defensive end Rob Ninkovich (50) smiles as he responds to a reporter's question during a media availability at the NFL football team's facility, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots are scheduled to host the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC championship game Sunday. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) (The Associated Press)

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    New England Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty responds to a reporter's question during a media availability at the NFL football team's facility Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots will play the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship game for the second year in a row at Foxborough this Sunday. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) (The Associated Press)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – 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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