Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco has the Pittsburgh Steelers number
As of late, quarterback Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens have owed the Pittsburgh Steelers. It wasn’t always that way.
Once upon a time in a galaxy named Baltimore, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome used a first-round draft choice on a strong-armed quarterback: Joe Flacco. Now in his 10th NFL season, he has had his ups and downs.
But the ups include leading the team he throws for to six playoff appearances in his first nine NFL campaigns. There’s been a least one postseason win in each of those half-dozen runs. In 2012, he threw 11 touchdowns and no interceptions in four playoff games and helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII.
Since then, for the most part, he’s been an erratic performer. The Ravens have made the playoffs just once in the four seasons since (2014). But one thing that certainly has changed on the years. He’s found a way to consistently beat Baltimore’s biggest rival.
In his first three seasons in the league, Flacco faced the Black and Gold a combined eight times. Apparently dealing with then-Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau’s system was a bit overwhelming. The Ravens were 2-6 in those contests.
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Flacco averaged 193.8 yards per game through the air. He threw for seven scores but was picked off eight times. He also fumbled nine times and lost five of those miscues. The still-young quarterback was sacked a combined 29 times in those eight outings. That included losses in the 2008 AFC title game and 2010 AFC Divisional Playoffs.
However, dating back to 2011 and including a victory in the 2014 AFC Wild Card Playoffs at Heinz Field, Flacco has been superb in this rivalry. He owns an 8-4 record in 12 outings (missing a meeting in 2015 at Baltimore) and has thrown more than three times as many touchdown passes (16) than interceptions (5) in those contests. Flacco has taken 27 sacks and lost three of his nine fumbles. And, keep in mind, that four of those eight victories came in the Steel City.
All told, he’s gone from eight games, seven touchdown passes and 13 turnovers in a three-season span to 12 contests, 16 scoring tosses and eight turnovers. Well done, to say the least.
Next: NFL 2017: One burning question for each team, Week 4
This Sunday at Baltimore, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens square off in a battle of 2-1 teams. Both are coming off disappointing results from Week 3. But it would be surprising if Joe Flacco, win or lose, didn’t have another solid performance against his franchise’s biggest adversary.