New look Joe Flacco could be changing the Ravens plans
![PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens drops back to pass in the first quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens drops back to pass in the first quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Febonybird-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1043870342-850x560-d6b73d2fadb0e5b478a0dde2ba81590c82ddb95ad295597e041547c62652fda0.jpg)
It’s undeniable. Joe Flacco is a different quarterback in 2018 than he was in 2017. This new look Flacco could change the Ravens plans:
At this point last year, Joe Flacco had 1,189 passing yards. He had thrown eight interceptions and just five touchdowns. Flacco had a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in which he threw for 28 yards. He failed to reach 200 passing yards in all but two games as the Ravens reached a 3-4 record.
At the end of the season the Ravens thought they needed a quarterback of the future. They weren’t ready to end the Flacco era just yet (though contractually it wasn’t really a choice) but they knew they needed an escape route. The drafting of Lamar Jackson was incredibly justified by the Ravens.
The plan seemed pretty simple. Joe Flacco for at least one more year and then he gets traded away so Jackson can takeover his job. Joe Flacco could be changing things for the Ravens. Flacco is playing like one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. It came out of nowhere. After a couple of years of bad quarterback play, Flacco became a productive gunslinger again.
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When you look at what Flacco has done this season as compared to this same point last season, it is unbelievable. Flacco has 2,067 yards and has thrown 11 touchdowns compared to just four interceptions. At this moment he ranks fifth in passing yards. Last season he used the check down like it was his number one read. This year he has 24 completions over 20 yards which ties for 10th most in the NFL.
If Flacco keeps this pace he will smash every personal high he has set in his 11 year career. If the Ravens make the playoffs, Jackson isn’t taking Flacco’s job next season. From the start, Flacco controlled his destiny in Baltimore. Based on last season many assumed that his time as quarterback in Baltimore was almost up.
Flacco has proven that he can get the job done when he is given the necessary weapons and he is healthy. It used to be thought that Flacco needed a good running game to be successful. Flacco is having a great year without a viable rushing attack to help him. Everything Ravens fans have come to know about Flacco from 2015 to before this season has changed. Flacco may have been part of the problem, but his circumstances were clearly the bigger problem.
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Lamar Jackson will get his chance to be the Ravens next quarterback. He was drafted in the first round and the Ravens can keep him for five years before they need to give him a new contract. Jackson hasn’t shown any signs of being ready to go this season as a quarterback. He may have to wait two or three seasons before his name is called. If Flacco plays like this, the Ravens are not going to say goodbye to him.