Ravens beat Colts 24-9 in AFC wild card

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) celebrates his touchdown catch with quarterback Joe Flacco (5) during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, in Baltimore.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) celebrates his touchdown catch with quarterback Joe Flacco (5) during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, in Baltimore.

— Anquan Boldin set a franchise record with 145 yards on five receptions, including the clinching touchdown, as Baltimore beat Indianapolis 24-9 in Sunday’s AFC wild-card game.

The previously struggling Ravens defense was staunch, inspired no doubt by star linebacker Ray Lewis appearing in his final home game before retiring. Baltimore never let Colts standout rookie quarterback Andrew Luck get comfortable.

AFC North champion Baltimore (11-6) will play at AFC West winner Denver next Saturday. The Broncos beat the Ravens 34-17 three weeks ago.

The loss ended the Colts’ turnaround season in which they went from 2-14 to the playoffs in coach Chuck Pagano’s first year in Indianapolis (11-6). Pagano missed 12 weeks while undergoing treatment for leukemia and returned last week.

Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, who went 9-3 as interim coach, was absent Sunday after being hospitalized with an undisclosed illness.

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