It’s confirmed: the Baltimore Ravens will play against Joe Flacco and the New York Jets in what should be a very entertaining season-opener in 2022.
On Wednesday, the New York Jets officially named Joe Flacco as their starter after weeks of speculation that Zach Wilson could be healthy in time for the season-opener.
This cements a potential revenge matchup between the Ravens and the Jets when Flacco takes the field in Week 1. Flacco spent over a decade in Baltimore prior to playing backup for the Jets, and he’ll face a younger, newer face of the Ravens franchise in quarterback Lamar Jackson.
The Joe Flacco “elite” quarterback debate may never be put to bed, but this game will be fun to watch for a myriad of reasons, especially considering the fact that Flacco has never faced (or beaten) the Ravens before — he’s usually the one clad in black and purple, but not this time.
Joe Flacco, who faces the Ravens on Sunday, has beaten 30 of the 32 teams as a starting QB.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 7, 2022
The only exceptions: Ravens and Seahawks.
There have been 8 QBs who have beaten 31 or more teams, per @ESPNStatsInfo. Only active QBs to do so are Tom Brady (32) and Aaron Rodgers (31).
Ravens will prepare to face former QB Joe Flacco in Week 1 against the Jets
In many ways, this serves as an advantage for Baltimore, who should be very familiar with Joe Flacco’s quarterback style after 11 seasons together.
From 2008 to 2018, Flacco never earned any Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors as a Raven yet he did showcase his talents as a signal-caller, mainly his arm strength and pocket presence.
Flacco will lead an unproven Jets squad filled with young talents like Breece Hall and Elijah Moore, and the Ravens should be careful not to underestimate Flacco in this upcoming matchup.
The Jets may have consistently ranked as one of the worst offensive and defensive units in the league in the last few years, but the Ravens need to focus on finding their groove and dominating early in the game.
The Jets will potentially play the Ravens at their weakest with J.K. Dobbins and Ronnie Stanley questionable to start in Week 1, giving New York a glimmer of hope.
This game is still Baltimore’s to lose, and falling to not only the Jets but a former quarterback in Joe Flacco wouldn’t be the best look for the team in 2022.