Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco is playing at an elite level in 2018

The career trajectory of Joe Flacco has certainly been a roller-coaster of emotions, but 2018 looks to be by far the best version of Flacco we’ve ever seen.

Love him or hate him, Joe Flacco has been the face of the Baltimore Ravens for a few years now and is easily the best quarterback the franchise has ever fielded. Flacco is a Super Bowl Champion and MVP, while also holding numerous franchise records for the quarterbacking position. At the same time, Flacco also has zero Pro Bowl nods to his name and is routinely grouped in with the NFL’s most mediocre quarterbacks. When we’ve seen guys like Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jay Cutler have (arguably) more success than your franchise leader, it’s not exactly a confidence booster.

That all has seemingly come to a change thus far in 2018.

We all know the basic story-line by now: Joe Flacco has continually underachieved in Baltimore, so the Ravens opted to draft former Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson in the first round on the 2018 NFL Draft. The idea behind this was to prep for a future without Flacco, while also hopefully inspiring the 11-year vet to play at his highest level. Consider the latter of that statement achieved.

Through four games in 2018, Joe Flacco has completed 64.3% of his passes for over 1,200-yards while tallying eight touchdown passes to just two interceptions. Flacco has also guided the Ravens to a 3-1 record, as the team sits behind Cincinnati tied for first in the AFC North. The team is also coming off a huge victory over the rival Pittsburgh Steelers in Steel City. To say things have been going Flacco’s way would be an understatement.

2018 has been Joe Flacco’s year and there’s no debating it. Sure, his week two performance against the Cincinnati Bengals left much to be desired, but he still tossed the ball for nearly 400-yards and two touchdowns. Of the two interceptions Flacco threw in that game, one was completely avoidable and the other was the result of being hit as he let go of the ball. Don’t box score scout, kids, Flacco has been fantastic in 2018. The best part is Joe Cool hasn’t even shown us any real signs of slowing down.

Looking ahead:

The Ravens schedule is by no means a cakewalk, with three of their next five games being played on the road, but there’s no real reason for us to panic. This Sunday’s match-up against the Cleveland Browns shouldn’t pose too much of a threat, while the Tennessee Titans and the Carolina Panthers could prove to be tough games for the Ravens. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers will come to Baltimore before the team’s week ten bye-week.

With the way Joe Flacco has played thus far in 2018, there’s a ridiculous amount of confidence surrounding the organization, and particularly the team’s offense. What has been considered a handicap for many years in Charm City is now a foundation of strength, and it all goes back to the play of Joe Flacco. With the front office’s commitment to atoning for their failures to surround Flacco with weapons this off-season, the team is clearly trending in the right direction.

We’ve talked many a times about how your team will only go as far as your quarterback will take you. Well, with this Joe Flacco at the helm, anything and everything looks possible for the 33-year old quarterback. New weapons, established chemistry with the team, and a fire under his bottom has brought out a Joe Flacco none of us knew existed. Forget about his first ever Pro Bowl nod, this Joe Flacco might be Atlanta bound for a spot in Super Bowl LIII.