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Ravens Vs. Lions: Joe Flacco Looks Sharp and Focused

By Chris Schisler

Aug 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) stands under center as he calls a play during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) stands under center as he calls a play during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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In Joe We Trust! Joe Flacco was back under center Saturday night for the first time since week 11 of the 2015 season.

Joe Flacco returned to the action against the Detroit Lions. Flacco hadn’t played in the preseason but had received glowing praise throughout training camp. Tonight Flacco showed the football world why he had been generating so much excitement in practice. Flacco didn’t light it up. He was 11-16 for 94 yards.

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There were a couple of plays that could have gotten the Ravens huge gains. On the first pass Flacco threw, he actually threw the ball too far for Mike Wallace. There was another play where Wallace got tackled in the open field with nobody in front of him. Flacco didn’t have a home run pass but he played sharp and moved the football down the field.

Flacco took some hits in this game. It will forever look weird when Haloti Ngata sacks our franchise quarterback. Ngata will always be a Raven in our hearts. Flacco displayed no signs of fear or discomfort. Flacco threw some dimes in this game. He threw a pass to the speedy Mike Wallace, that was perfect on a third down. It almost seems like, Flacco’s injury was like a system update. Everything looks a little crisper, and because of this the team is running smoother too.

There’s no getting around it. Flacco’s preseason debut was the most anticipated part of the Ravens marching towards the regular season. When you have your franchise quarterback getting back into the flow of things, it provides some anxiousness. The Ravens coaching staff and fans must feel their nerves fading. We now know that Flacco isn’t just practicing well, he’s playing well.

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We needed to see the Ravens quarterback come in and run the offense with confidence. Flacco did that. The Ravens will go into the season ready to do battle against the Buffalo Bills. Flacco looks as focused as ever and that should fuel good things for Baltimore.

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