Ray Lewis

BALTIMORE - Shortly after setting the Baltimore Ravens' record for postseason receiving yards in a game Sunday, Anquan Boldin stepped to the podium across the hall from the locker room with a towel draped around his neck and a stern expression. The discussion had shifted from the 24-9 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the AFC playoffs to Saturday's showdown against the Denver Broncos, and Boldin dispensed with the pleasantries often associated with evaluating an opponent.

BALTIMORE - There's no telling how effective Ray Lewis will be Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts after missing 12 weeks with a torn right triceps. Fortunately, for the Ravens, he's already provided an emotional lift. With his announcement that he will step into retirement after Baltimore completes its 2013 playoff run, Lewis gave the slumping Ravens a boost heading into their wild-card game. "Just having him back on the field is an inspiration," Baltimore defensive coordinator Dean Pees said.

Ray Lewis spent 17 seasons instilling fear in his opponents while serving as an inspirational leader for the Baltimore Ravens. Now he's poised and eager to become a full-time father. Lewis announced Wednesday he will end his brilliant NFL career after the Ravens complete their 2013 playoff run. Lewis has been sidelined since Oct. 14 with a torn right triceps. The 13-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker intends to return Sunday to face the Indianapolis Colts in what will almost certainly be his final home game.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Ray Lewis spent 17 seasons instilling fear in his opponents while serving as an inspirational leader for the Baltimore Ravens. Now he's poised and eager to become a full-time dad. Lewis announced Wednesday he will end his brilliant NFL career after the Ravens complete their 2013 playoff run. Lewis has been sidelined since Oct. 14 with a torn right triceps. The 13-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker intends to return Sunday to face the Indianapolis Colts in what will almost certainly be his final home game.

COLIN KAEPERNICK has earned a third straight start at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. Coach Jim Harbaugh made the announcement Wednesday that Kaepernick would go Sunday at St. Louis over Alex Smith after the second-year pro led the NFC West-leading Niners (8-2-1) to victories in the past two games, his first two NFL starts. "The rationale is we have two quarterbacks that we feel great about as a starting quarterback," Harbaugh said. "Both have earned it, both deserve it - Alex over a long period of time, Colin by virtue of the last three games.

The NFL has levied $50,000 in fines to the Pittsburgh Steelers and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders on Friday for faking an injury during an Oct. 21 game in Cincinnati. Sanders was fined $15,000 and the organization $35,000. Sanders grabbed the back of his leg and collapsed to the ground during the fourth quarter of Pittsburgh's 24-17 win. Also fined by the league were Panthers safety Haruki Nakamura and Packers tight end Ryan Taylor, $21,000 each; Titans safety Michael Griffin, $20,000; Raiders cornerback Tyvon Branch, Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy, and Cardinals linebacker Quentin Groves, $15,750 each; Ravens LB Dannell Ellerbe, $10,000; Colts cornerback Cassius Vaughn and Steelers safety Will Allen, $7,875 apiece.

COLTS (-2 1/2) over Browns: When we took a look at the Colts-Jets game last week, it was pretty obvious that Indy would not be able to bring the emotion - playing for coach Chuck Pagano who is fighting cancer - of the prior week against the Packers. Obvious turned into reality as the Jets smoked the Horseshoes, 35-9. Now, Indianapolis looks to get back on track against a Cleveland team that is working on an 0-10 run on the road. And if you wanna extend back a while, the Brownies have only five wins away from home in the last 27 attempts.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis will miss the remainder of the season with an arm injury, an enormous blow to an already depleted defense that has uncharacteristically struggled this year. Lewis suffered a torn right triceps during Sunday's 31-29 victory over Dallas. The 37-year-old Lewis leads Baltimore in tackles and is the voice of experience in the huddle. "Ray in the locker room afterward, we didn't know [the extent of the injury] but he was worried about it," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Monday.

RAVENS linebacker Ray Lewis will miss the remainder of the season with an arm injury, an enormous blow to an already depleted defense that has uncharacteristically struggled this year. The Ravens' worst fears were confirmed Monday when an MRI exam revealed that the veteran suffered a torn triceps in his right arm, an injury that could force him to contemplate the end of his career. Lewis was hurt in Sunday's 31-29 victory over Dallas. The 37-year-old leads Baltimore with 57 tackles, including 14 on Sunday, and is the voice of experience in the huddle.

BALTIMORE - Referee Gene Steratore turned on his microphone to greet the captains of the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens for the pregame coin toss Thursday night. "Good evening, men," Steratore said. "It's good to be back. " The stadium erupted in a roar. Yes, the real refs are back. Official harmony is restored to the NFL. Steratore and his seven-man crew donned their familiar stripes for the first game of Week 4 after 3 weeks of replacement officials created moments of chaos throughout the league.