Baltimore Ravens: is Joe Flacco holding the team back?

Let’s face it. Joe Flacco is not elite.

I know it’s mainly a running gag at this point to call Joe Flacco elite, but at one point there was a serious argument for it. Flacco took the Ravens to the playoffs in his first 5 seasons and delivered one of the best playoff performances in NFL history. He threw for 11 touchdowns and 0 interceptions while winning Super Bowl MVP. Ever since then, with the exception of 2014 under offensive genius Gary Kubiak, he has been on a downward slope. He has been in the bottom half of quarterbacks lately, and that’s not what the Ravens imagined they were getting when they paid him so much money after the Super Bowl.

For some inexplicable reason, Joe Flacco plays a hundred times better in the playoffs. He is arguably a top 3 playoff quarterback in the league. The problem comes from his regular season play. Ravens fans know that if they somehow get into the playoffs then a whole different Flacco is unleashed. The issue lately has been getting to the playoffs in the first place.

Flacco is not Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady. He doesn’t elevate mediocre talent around him like those guys do. Flacco needs a strong supporting cast around him to be successful. He may be “elite” in the playoffs but he’s completely average in the regular season. Flacco absolutely must step his game up, along with several other players and coaches if they want a shot at the playoffs this season.

The bottom line

A lot of blame can go on Flacco for the state this offense is in right now. I think even more blame can go to the front office for failing to provide the offense with above average talent. In my opinion, however, what’s truly making this offense dreadful are the injuries to the offensive line. Many good quarterbacks such as Cam Newton, Andrew Luck, and Russell Wilson have all suffered from bad offensive line play in recent years too. It is the most important part of an offense behind the QB.

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I think another reason for Flacco’s bad play recently has been the lack of fear for his job. He knows Ryan Mallett will not replace him. Look what drafting Patrick Mahomes has done for Alex Smith and the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs so far this season. It seemed to light a fire under Smith and he is currently playing the best football of his career. Flacco may need this push. I think Ozzie Newsome drafts a QB this year, and hopefully several offensive linemen. The Ravens are stuck with Flacco’s massive contract for the next few years, but that doesn’t mean they can’t prepare for when he’s gone already.