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Baltimore Ravens: How far can Joe Flacco take the team in 2018?

By Richard Bradshaw

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 20: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass in the first quarter of a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 20, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 20: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass in the first quarter of a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 20, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 09: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half during a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 09: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half during a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

The pieces are in place:

Let’s compare Joe Flacco’s 2012 playoff situation to his 2018 season situation:

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In 2012, Flacco was surrounded with great talent in the form of future Hall of Fame wide receiver Anquan Boldin, stud tight end Dennis Pitta, and vertical threats Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones. Flacco was facing a make-or-break year, as he was due to become a free agent following the conclusion of the 2012 playoffs. Flacco also had motivation to help get Ray Lewis one last ring before he retired, but also wanted to prove to the organization that he could properly lead the team into the future.

Fast forward to 2018 now. Flacco has been supplied with a plethora of new and exciting weapons. Michael Crabtree is a stud receiver who is dominant in the end-zone, while speedsters John Brown and Willie Snead will be around to take the top off the defense. Tight end Hayden Hurst was drafted in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the intention of making him Flacco’s new “BFF.” With the Ravens also selecting Lamar Jackson in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, there is pressure on Flacco to perform now, knowing his future in Baltimore is bleak.

If there were ever a season in which you had circumstances that aligned with each other as best as they could, this would be it. Joe Flacco has been given the keys to a new offense with fantastic weapons for once. With Jackson breathing down Flacco’s neck, there will be every reason for the 11-year vet to prove his worth.

The missing pieces of the “Joe Flacco puzzle” are now in place. Everything Flacco needs to succeed has been placed in front of him. Weapons. Pressure. Determination. But just how far can all of this take the Ravens?

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