Was it Joe Flacco’s fault? Interception No. 3

Joe Flacco‘s third interception on the season came in the second quarter of a blowout loss to the Jaguars but was it really his fault?

Joe Flacco’s 13 interceptions thrown in 2017 were the third highest total in his 10-year career. That same season, the Ravens’ passing attack struggled to produce just 189.4 yards per game through the air. It’s no secret that Flacco nor the receiving core had much success in that department and we continue to break down each interception from last season.

From my tally so far, one interception was Flacco’s fault, one was not. Interception No. 3 is going to will break the deadlock and let’s take a look.

Week 3: @Jaguars (London)

This was the Ravens’ first international game and one they’ll want to completely erase. Riding a 2-0 record into a London matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Ravens were absolutely clobbered in a 44-7 blowout. Joe Flacco had a career-worst game, finishing 8-of-18 through the air with 28 yards and two interceptions.

The first interception came in a second-quarter battle between Jeremy Maclin and A.J. Bouye. Maclin just about secured the catch by the left field sidelines before Bouye made a fantastic defensive play to lodge the ball to make the interception.

That’s textbook defensive coverage and it doesn’t get much better than that. Credit to Bouye for avoiding a pass interference call and still coming away with the interception.

Little did we know at the time but the Jaguars were a legitimate defensive unit last season. They allowed just 169.9 passing yards per game and the Bouye and Jalen Ramsey were the complete package of a shutdown cornerback tandem.

I’m putting the blame on Maclin here and it’s a one-on-one matchup he has to win.

Next: 2018 Baltimore Ravens: How do they match up with the Steelers?

Could Flacco have thrown a better back-shoulder pass? You could argue that but Maclin had every chance to come down with the catch and the ball was in his hands.

VERDICT: Not Flacco’s Fault