Ebony Bird
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2017 Baltimore Ravens: 5 Problems That Still Face Them

By Chris Schisler

Sep 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) under pressure during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) under pressure during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 9, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) on the sideline during the game against the Washington Redskins at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) on the sideline during the game against the Washington Redskins at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Flacco Has Been Struggling For Past Two Seasons:

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The real question here, is whether or not Joe Flacco is spoiled goods. The Ravens have never had a better passer under center, it’s been a good run. The problem is that things haven’t been the same since Baltimore won it all and Flacco got paid. Flacco really started to deviate from his past success in 2015. While he didn’t get a full season in, the 10 weeks we saw weren’t pretty. In 2016 he had his first 4,000 yard season but he also averaged less than seven yards per completion and he threw it over 600 times. The passing game was inefficient and the Ravens offense was at times nonexistent.

In the 2012 playoffs, Flacco played his best football. That’s what frustrates Ravens fans. What he is capable of, is not always what you see on the field. Flacco was never on the same plane as Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, but he was always a quarterback you could win with. In fact Flacco has done a lot of winning. He has more road wins in the playoffs than any other quarterback in history. The Ravens have been to the AFC Championship three times with Flacco. It is more than understandable to be frustrated with Flacco but you cannot separate the QB from the team’s success.

Getting Back To 2014 Production Should Be The Goal:

2015 was a nightmare all around. In 2016 Flacco was possibly still feeling the impact of his injury. Hopefully the Ravens can get back to the old Flacco. They don’t need him to be a superstar. They need him to be reliable and to make big plays when it really matters. In 2014, Flacco had his best season. The oasis of good quarterback play was nice. Hopefully the Ravens can get there again.

Flacco needs to stop checking it down when there is an open receiver down the field. He needs to stop throwing off his back foot and he has to revive his deep ball. If Flacco can make these improvements, the 2017 Ravens will have less to worry about.

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