Interceptions still hard to come by

For the first time this season, the Ravens won the turnover battle this last Sunday, allowing them to inch up to a minus-six turnover ratio for the season.

It's a step in the right direction (albeit a minor one), but Ravens players and coaches will admit that more needs to be done in the turnover department, especially when it comes to snagging interceptions.

Despite having the NFL's second-best passing defense, the Ravens are tied with the Bills (yes, the 0-5 Bills) for the fewest interceptions in the league.

Baltimore's lone pick on the year came not from a defensive back, but linebacker Ray Lewis, who went into a full dive to intercept Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch two weeks ago.

Other than that play, the Ravens have been held out of the interception department, a fact which Baltimore's DBs are fully aware of.

"We have been getting a lot of [talk] from the guys on the team that we need to catch the balls when they throw them to us, because we've dropped a few," cornerback Fabian Washington said. "We've left some on the field this year. And at the same time, you can't force it. I feel like if we just keep playing solid defense, they'll come."

Washington and safeties Dawan Landry and Tom Zbikowski have all had passes hit them in the hands this year, and they haven't been able to come away with an interception.

It's a trend that the coaches don't expect to last, especially with safety Ed Reed expected to return next week.

"The interceptions are going to come," head coach John Harbaugh said. "We had a couple that were tougher catches, but we had our hands on them. All the break-ups were one-handed break-ups where you stick the mitt in there and knock it down. So, those aren't really ones you have a chance to intercept.

"But, we do need more turnovers. We got the one on the kickoff, which was good to see, and it's something we'll shoot for. But I don't think you chase turnovers. That would be to the detriment of playing good defense."

It might be hard for the Ravens to boost that interception total on Sunday; Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady has only thrown two picks to nine touchdowns so far this year.

Baltimore did get to Brady last time they faced him, however. They picked off the two-time Super Bowl MVP three times in a playoff win over the Pats last season.

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