Baltimore Ravens vs. New Orleans Saints: Keys To Victory
By Brett Foote
Nov 9, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws the ball in the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens won 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Keep “Cool Joe” Cool
Joe Flacco has thrown interceptions in six out of ten games this season. Of those six games, the Ravens have won two of them. The Ravens are also 0-3 in games where Flacco has absorbed more than one sack, and 0-4 in games where Flacco has attempted more than 32 passes. Seeing a trend?
As Flacco goes, so do the Ravens. But the coaching staff can clearly help him by intentionally skewing the run/pass ratio and dialing up easy, high percentage, passing plays when necessary. What they cannot do is allow the Saints the opportunity to get to him with the blitz (which defensive coordinator Rob Ryan loves to do) or to jump out to an big early lead. Make it easy for Flacco, and you dramatically increase your chances of a win in the Big Easy.