After his big contract extension, it is officially Joe Flacco day! Let’s celebrate with his top 5 moments!
Joe Flacco is the greatest quarterback in the history of the Baltimore Ravens and it isn’t even close. After what seemed like a life time of guys like Tony Banks, Kyle Boller and Anthony Wright Flacco gave Ravens fans something they never had seen before, great quarterback play. It’s funny how it seems like just yesterday Flacco was a rookie quarterback but it has been eight seasons.
Flacco has done some pretty impressive things as the Ravens QB. We’re talking about a quarterback who has won more road playoff games than anyone in NFL history. We’re talking about a quarterback that had one of the greatest postseason runs of all time in 2012; he threw for 11 touchdowns and no interceptions and was hailed the Super Bowl MVP. There is much reason to be “Wacko for Flacco.”
Much of the offseason talk will be about Flacco’s contract as the Ravens try to restructure it. His healthy recovery from his ACL injury is of paramount importance going into the next season. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and enjoy the top 5 Flacco moments.
Next: 5. Flacco Begins His Journey
5. Flacco Begins His Journey:
It was the first game of the 2008 season and the Ravens had no choice but to start their rookie quarterback. Kyle Boller was sick and Troy Smith was injured, the Ravens gave their quarterback of the future a surprise start in the season opener. Flacco’s first game was a 17-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Flacco scored his first touchdown in that game but it wasn’t through the air. The rookie quarterback rushed for what can only be described as an awkwardly awesome 38 yard touchdown. It was a bolt of lightning that charged the Ravens fan base. For once, they had hope at the quarterback position.
The emotions from that day were incredible. With a new head coach and a new quarterback, the Ravens were excitingly entering a new era. It was clear that Flacco needed to grow and that the Ravens needed to ease him into things the best they could. Flacco didn’t come into the league a smooth and finished product, but he never flinched and took advantage of the opportunity.
Next: 4. Flacco The Receiver
4. Joe Flacco The Receiver
For the most part the Ravens 29-10 beat down of the Oakland Raiders in 2008 was routine. The Ravens defense mangled the Raiders offense. The Ravens offense totaled 192 rushing yards. In fact Flacco didn’t have to do much to win the game. The Ravens quarterback was just 12-24 passing for 140 yards and a touchdown, but he made one of his most memorable plays of his career.
The rookie quarterback handed the ball off to backup quarterback Troy Smith. Smith dropped back to pass as Flacco sprinted down the field. Flacco hauled in 43 yard reception, losing his footing with the end zone just a few strides away. The trick play revved up the Ravens crowd. Flacco had his fair share of struggles in his rookie season but it was moments like this that made his teammates love him. Flacco celebrated with his teammates as Baltimore celebrated their quarterback on the receiving end of a great pass.
This may not have been the greatest statistical game of Flacco’s career but it was certainly one of his most incredible plays. This game was a lot of fun and that one play we will never forget.
Next: 3. 92 Yards In Pittsburgh
3. 92 Yards In Pittsburgh
It was 2011 and the Ravens were in Pittsburgh to complete a season sweep of their arch enemy. The Steelers had just taken a lead late in the fourth quarter after a Ravens turnover. Ravens fans everywhere, had their hearts leaping out of their chest and their mind’s asking “How could this be happening again.” The Ravens were one mistake away from losing the game as they had to go 92 yards down the field for the game winning score. This was a signature Flacco moment because when he prevailed it was uplifting in a way that cannot truly be described. Your a Ravens fan, you know that feeling.
The Ravens methodically moved down the field. Anquan Boldin was the main weapon of choice for Flacco during the drive. Flacco went to Torrey Smith for a touchdown in the left side of the end zone, and the ball went through his hands. The devastation level of the Ravens faithful could not have been higher. The game was not over though and Flacco was unaffected by Smith’s drop.
Flacco went back to Smith a couple plays later for the game winning touchdown pass. This time the Ravens rookie wide receiver held on tightly. The Steelers were in man to man coverage and the safety (whose eyes were glued to Boldin) failed to get over. Flacco delivered a perfect pass. In doing so he defeated his demons and changed the power in the AFC North. Baltimore would never fear the Steelers game again.
Next: 2. The Mile High Miracle
2. The Mile High Miracle
The Ravens were underdogs against the Denver Broncos in the 2012 NFL Playoffs. The Ravens were going into Denver to battle the number one seed in the AFC, who were expected to win the Super Bowl that season. In a game that made fans run through every emotion imaginable, the Ravens beat the Broncos in double overtime. It is how they got there, that makes it a miracle.
With the game n the line who would you rather have then good old number five? With time winding down in regulation the Ravens needed a touchdown to force overtime. Desperation time had hit the Ravens and the Ravens quarterback hit back. He rolled out of the pocket and threw an absolutely beautiful pass to Jacoby Jones for a 70 yard touchdown pass. It was one of the most clutch throws of all time and nobody could have thrown it as perfectly as Flacco did.
The Ravens beat the Broncos with a Justin Tucker field goal in double overtime. It was possibly the greatest game of all time, at least it has to be in that discussion. In that game for the ages, Flacco threw for 331 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Next: 1. Super Bowl MVP
1. Super Bowl XLVII
On his way to his first Super Bowl victory, Flacco had to beat Andrew Luck’s Colts, Peyton Manning’s Broncos and Tom Brady’s Patriots. He had to lift the Ravens past the Patriots in the same place the Ravens playoff run had ended the year before. The Ravens had fought for 5 consecutive years in playoff battles and in 2012, they finally had won it all. That is why the Ravens second Super Bowl win is the top moment in Flacco’s career. Every moment before it had made the taste of victory sweeter than anything in the world.
Flacco had himself a really good day in the Super Bowl. Against a very stingy 49ers defense, the Ravens quarterback went 22-33 for 287 yards and three touchdowns. There were three plays that encapsulate his greatness in that game. The first was on the opening drive of the game when Flacco hit Anquan Boldin for the game’s first touchdown. The Ravens marched down the field and made a statement. Then Flacco found Jacoby Jones for a 56 yard touchdown pass. The Ravens went up 21-3 with that play. Flacco was doing some first class shredding of the 49ers defense.
Next: Joe Flacco 3 Year Extension Is A Win For Everyone
But the top play of that Super Bowl was when the Ravens were desperate for a conversion on 3rd and 1 as the 49ers were storming back into the game. Flacco audibled from a running play to a quick pass out to Boldin. Flacco threw a quick back shoulder pass to Boldin who gained the first down. It was a critical play, and a great display of Flacco and Boldin’s chemistry. Flacco was the Super Bowl MVP and the Ravens fans had much to celebrate.