Ed Reed and the Biggest Defensive Clutch Performers in NFL Playoff History

Time and time again, Ed Reed finds ways to come up in a huge way for the Baltimore Ravens.

In Sunday's divisional round matchup against the Houston Texans, Reed was obviously playing hurt and certainly had himself a game as he picked off one pass, defended three passes and finished with six tackles.

There's no doubt in my mind that Reed is clutch—let's take a look at some of the other clutch defensive players in NFL playoff history. 

Richard Dent

Richard Dent was a gamer as he recorded 10.5 career sacks in the postseason for the Chicago Bears while being apart of the 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl champion team. 

Let's put it this way: Dent was a part of the '85 Bears defense and he was one of the top defenders on that team—so yeah, he's pretty dominating and pretty clutch. 

Willie McGinest

Willie McGinest was an absolute monster for the New England Patriots during their dynasty years as he won three Super Bowls. 

McGinest was an incredible defender, as he holds the NFL career playoff record with 16 sacks. 

McGinest was a great player in the regular season, but once January came around, he took his game to a whole new level. 

Ed Reed

Ed Reed may have never won a Super Bowl, but he's still one of the most clutch defensive players in NFL history. 

Reed always finds a way to come up with a big play for the Baltimore Ravens, as he's one of the most dangerous defensive play-makers to ever play the game. 

Most recently, Reed came up with a huge interception against the Houston Texans to help his team advance to the AFC Championship. 

Ray Nitschke

Ray Nitschke won two NFL Championships and two Super Bowls with the Green Bay Packers, and he was one of the biggest reasons why the Packers were able to dominant in the 1960s. 

Nitschke is considered to be one of the most physically dominating defensive linemen to ever play the game. 

Randy White

Randy White had himself one hell of a career with the Dallas Cowboys, as he went to three Super Bowls and won one of them while tallying up nine sacks and one interception during his postseason career.

White was just a play-maker for the Cowboys, and they would have never been that successful during the 1970s without his service. 

Charles Haley

Charles Haley went to the playoffs eight times with the San Francisco 49ers, as he won a whopping five Super Bowls throughout his career.

Haley retired with 11 postseason sacks to go along with an impressive four forced fumbles and even one interception. 

Haley dominated opposing offensive linemen as he helped made the 49ers an NFL dynasty. 

Rodney Harrison

Rodney Harrison was a huge reason why the New England Patriots were able to emerge as an NFL dynasty in the early 2000s.

Harrison won two Super Bowls with the Patriots, as he recorded seven interceptions in the playoffs while four of those game in three games in the 2004 playoffs. 

Bruce Smith

Bruce Smith finished his career with 14.5 postseason sacks while making it to the Super Bowl on three teams.

Smith may have never won the big game with the Buffalo Bills, but he always was clutch enough to help carry his team that far. 

Mel Blount

Mel Blount had himself an incredible career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, as he won four Super Bowls while retiring with five career interceptions. 

Blount was just one of the many faces of that dominant Steel Curtain defense during the 1970s. 

Ronnie Lott

When you think of clutch defenders in NFL history, Ronnie Lott needs to come to your mind first. 

Lott won four Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers and is believed to be of the greatest defensive backs in the history of the game.

Lott retired in 1995 with nine career postseason interceptions with two of those being returned for a touchdown.