Joe Flacco Looks Ready To Carry Baltimore Ravens To Super Bowl
By Michael Compton
@MWCompton
Jason Bridge-USA Today Sports
Following several underwhelming performances to close out the regular season and limp into the playoffs, the Baltimore Ravens took care of business in their wild-card matchup, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-17 behind a stingy defense and clutch second-half play from quarterback Joe Flacco.
When Flacco plays well, the Ravens are a dangerous team. Despite a less-than-stellar aerial attack in the first half, Flacco was effective and on target when it counted most, completing 18-of-29 for 259 yards and two touchdowns on the night. His 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Torrey Smith in the third quarter gave the Ravens a 20-9 advantage, put the Steelers on the ropes and silenced the Heinz Field faithful. Joe Cool iced the game with a 21-yard touchdown strike to tight end Crockett Gillmore with just over eight minutes remaining in the contest.
With the win over the Steelers, Flacco, who entered the league in 2008, recorded his 10th postseason victory, five more than any other quarterback during that time span. The win also marked Flacco’s initial postseason win at Heinz Field after losing in his two previous tries.
The Ravens, in the postseason for the sixth time in seven years under coach John Harbaugh, appear to have overcome their season-ending offensive slump and possess the talent and experience on both sides of the ball to test the New England Patriots on the road in the second round of eight next week.
If the up-and-down Ravens are going to go deep in the postseason, Flacco, who has been brilliant on occasion this year, will need to continue to play at a high level. Judging by his performance in the second half against the Steelers, Flacco may just be able to provide the Ravens all the push they need to rekindle the magic of their 2013 Super Bowl-winning season.
Michael Compton is a Jacksonville Jaguars writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter at @MWCompton and connect with him on Google.
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