Ed Reed, Kenny Phillips Make Clutch Defensive Plays in Wins

Former Hurricanes safety and current Baltimore Raven Ed Reed came up with a key interception with minutes remaining in the Ravens’ win over the Houston Texans in the divisional round of the playoffs on Sunday.

The Texans, down a touchdown, were on the Baltimore 38-yard-line when T.J. Yates threw one deep intended for former Hurricanes wide receiver Andre Johnson when Reed came up with the interception. The pick gave the Ravens the ball back before punting with under a minute left. It was the eighth postseason interception of Reeds’ illustrious career.

A Yates pass intended for Kevin Walter with time winding down fell incomplete, broken up by Reed. The play seemed costly for Reed, though. He had to be helped off of the field by teammates, but said after the game that he was okay and looking forward to the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots.

Former Hurricanes safety and current New York Giant Kenny Phillips had a big moment, too. About midway through the fourth quarter of the Giants win over the Green Bay Packers Sunday evening and with the Packers looking to move the ball down the field to narrow a 10-point deficit, Phillips forced a fumble at the Green Bay 44-yard-line. The ball was recovered by Giants linebacker Chase Blackburn and returned to the Packers 4-yard-line. New York found the end zone on the next play to make it a three-point lead and effectively put the game out of reach.

Just another week of former Miami Hurricanes making key contributions that help shape the outcome of the biggest NFL games.