[Blogs] Comparing Flacco To Remaining Playoff QBs

[BR News]

According to outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, the Ravens will be facing one of the top three quarterbacks of all-time this Sunday in New England’s Tom Brady.

“When it’s all said and done, it’s going to be Johnny [Unitas], him and Peyton [Manning], end of discussion,” Suggs said.

What Suggs, and others, may not realize is that the Ravens have a quarterback on their own sideline that has in many ways mirrored Brady’s statistics over their first four NFL years.

A closer look at Flacco’s numbers compared to the three remaining quarterbacks in the playoffs – Brady, New York’s Eli Manning and San Francisco’s Alex Smith – shows that Flacco is neck-and-neck with Brady and ahead of the others.

Flacco came out of Delaware as opposed to Brady’s Michigan, Smith’s Utah and Manning’s Ole Miss, all big-time Division I programs.

Over their first four years, Flacco has the second-highest completion percentage (61 percent), only trailing Brady (62 percent). Flacco has the most passing yards per game (215.9) of the three, 2.7 yards ahead of Brady. Flacco has the second-highest collective quarterback rating (85.9). Brady’s is 86.0.

1st 4 Years in the NFL
	Games	Starts	Completion %	Yards Per Game	Touchdowns	Interceptions	QB Rating
Joe Flacco	64	64	61%	215.9	80	46	85.9
Tom Brady	48	46	62%	213.2	69	38	86.0
Alex Smith	30	30	54%	156.0	19	31	57.6
Eli Manning	57	55	55%	199.7	77	64	70.6

Flacco has said before that a quarterback often doesn’t get recognition until they win a Super Bowl ring. Brady won his first in just his second year. Manning won his in his fourth season.

In his fourth year, Flacco can get to his first Super Bowl if he wins on Sunday in New England.

“Hey, this is what a team, this is what a player, lives for is playoff time, and having to win tight games or what could possibly be tight games,” Flacco said last week. “That’s what I, that’s what we all, really want to be in the position to do.”

This season, Flacco has excelled in tough games against playoff opponents.

In seven games against 2011 playoff teams, the Ravens are 7-0. But everybody knows that Flacco is a winner. After all, he’s won more games than any starting quarterback in modern history in his first four years.

In those seven games, Flacco has completed 126 of 202 passes (62 percent) and thrown 10 touchdowns to just two interceptions. He has averaged 224 passing yards per game and posted an average quarterback rating of 99.6.

Those numbers have not only come against playoff teams, but defensively-driven playoff teams.

The four playoff teams that Flacco faced this year – Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, San Francisco and Houston – all finished the regular season with defenses ranked in the top seven. Pittsburgh was No. 1, Houston No. 2, San Francisco No. 4 and Cincinnati No. 7.

Flacco went 14-for-27 for 176 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions against the Houston Texans in the divisional round.

“That’s a winning performance, and Joe – I told him [Sunday night] – I thought he played very, very well,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said.

[url=http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2012/01/17/comparing-flacco-to-remaining-playoff-qbs/]View the full article[/url]

[RAYvenFan20]

wow!

[jrs034]

Joe Flacco is awesome he beats Brady in almost every statistical category

[Sam]

WOW is right! People should really be ashamed of criticizing this young man. Everyone also forgets that this year the only returning WR was Q. With virtually all new WRs & Heap gone - I say he has done very well & deserves much more credit!

[Ravenslifer]

Gee, maybe someone saw my posts. Check Drew Brees' career stats too.

[stormie]

I wish someone would share the idiots writing all of the negative columns popping up.

[floridafan]

You would never believe this article according to Skip Witless (Bayliss) of ESPN. I truly wish someone would shut him up. I thought these types of programs were supposed to be fair and balanced instead it is an open forum for Ravens haters. I do not know what Witless has stuck in his craw, oh yes I do. It's a Raven, Caw Caw lol. Sorry, I could not resist, forgive me and Go Ravens.

[physicistintheory]

Power of the Fu Manchu.

[The Mom Gene]

You Go Joe!... What else do we need to do to shut up the critics???

We need to win it all this year!... Play Tough and Play all 60 minutes on Sunday!

[callahan09]

So what you're telling me is that not only does he have the WINS column, but the rest of the stats match up favorably to other elite QBs in their first four years as well? Could'a fooled me, based on what I keep hearing from ESPN!

[The Mom Gene]

Can we send this article to NFL Network?

[Ravenslifer]

Something else to consider - I wonder if they could kindly rank not only the weapons each quarterback had around him each of the four years, but the caliber of defenses each faced. Flacco has played the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense 8 times now, and the Bengals and Browns are no slouches in the pass D department, either.

[Leonard]

Hello,
Joe knows that Tom Brady is the "Cream-of-the-Crop". He knows that this opportunity may not come again, but then again so does everyone still "In-the-Hunt"!
It's not about Joe, but more about the team. We need a complete team effort to stay in the game. Tom Terrific is a beast with a bevy of weapons (any one of which can burn our defense). Their special teams are reknown and their defense always rises to the occasion at this time of year. So enough about Joe....let's concentrate on our opponent and not lose sight of the magnitude of our opponent and their "Hall-of-Fame" coach. This will be a game of chess and tactical manuevering. WAR!!! That's what Sunday is my friends....WAR!!!!!!!

[cobrajet]

I do hope that Joe can start eliminating the strip turnovers.

[steelraven]

Joe doesn't beat Brady in any category. Brady didn't even start his rookie season, he didn't start until third game of his second year and won a super bowl the went back to back in 03 & 04,with a bunch of nobody's to throw to.

[Shutdowns-R-us]

None of this matter, only one Joe, Tom, Peyton, Eli, Drew, Rodgers, Alex. What matters is a complete, focused game. Elite is not what you win but how you win. A superbowl don't make anyone elite it make them a superbowl winner. How you get to the superbowl and win it makes you elite. So stop reaching and be exactly what you need to be, that's all that's needed, no more no less. Go complete Ravens squad.

[dayday]

I bet ESPN won't show the world these numbers. They would only dismiss it just like they do everything else Joe do good. They are quick to highlight his bad stats though. I though analysist suppose to be unbiased. They prove everyday just how unprofessional and misleading they are over there. They pull up stats everyday on sportscenter how come we NEVER saw these numbers before?

Also I'm so happy how things are turning out this year. Every since the beginning people have been saying defense don't win championships anymore. It i all about the passing and offense that takes you to the big game. Last time I checked they're 3 teams that have really good defenses. NE is the only team alive that can prove the "experts" right but come next week they would be wrong too. I say the Ravens and the 49ers are in the Superbowl. I'm not very confident in these picks but I do believe in my team. I know our Offense especially have it in them to be GREAT for 2 games. That is all we need. Our Defense can get better to but we all know they will be ready.

[Sam]

Completion percentage & QB rating is all you really need to look at. It does not matter that Brady did not start his first 2 years. Just look at those 2 stats & you see Flacco IS holding his own!

[raven410]

Starting to get tired of all the Flacco haters..this has gone far enough! If you don't like Joe, please find another team to root for until Joe retires...and please don't jump back on the bandwagon once Flacco helps to bring multiple championship back to Baltimore.

[angelraven]

Can someone please send this information to Skip Bayless.

[Big G]

This article really says all that alot of us have been saying all season. It is great to see the numbers. So many people want and expect instant gratification from QBs. Remember Peyton did not win a SuperBowl until his 9th year. And he is considered one of the best of all time. Joe is going to get his first in his 4th year and hopefully his 3rd by the ninth year.

[The Mom Gene]

[quote name='steelraven' timestamp='1326832034' post='955539']
Joe doesn't beat Brady in any category. Brady didn't even start his rookie season, he didn't start until third game of his second year and won a super bowl the went back to back in 03 & 04,with a bunch of nobody's to throw to.
[/quote]

And Joe has had nobody to throw to as well... He had Mason... Mason is the #3 man on most of these other teams as you saw this year.... Boldin needs to get more separation... and Evans I have no opinion on yet... Torrey Smith has to develop more confidence... and the TE's, well they have been our bread and butter this year... so Sorry Steelraven... I disagree... I believe the guy is HIGHLY UNDERRATED!

[The Greek]

119 1/2 hours till gametime

[Zeus]

AMEN to Flacco!! Take us to the big show...

[SmashMouth7]

Let me tell people why everybody come down on Joe, It's nothing personally or disliking him. Everybody saw him fail in the 3 years worth of playoffs, yeah the team got there but they saw him fail at QB there. That sums it up why they waiting for him to prove himself.

Us fans know he's a good QB but the rest of the world are waiting for him to not fail us when it matters. I think he is mentally ready for the challenge now so let's get it and be the only happy fans during the offseason.

Shannon Sharp want to see Joe win so he can brag all next year about the Ravens, good thing.
Deion want to see Ray Lewis win.
Lets get it.

[btfan2]

I just wish all these tools would stop comparing Joe to whoever. Joe is Joe. As sizzle says were not pretty, but guess what boys and girls we win. We win with Joe have won with Joe and will win with Joe.

Lots of things I'd love to see Joe improve on. Lots of things I'd like to see the team improve on.

I had a friend over the week-end bad mouthing Joe. I asked them if they watched Brees,Rogers, Romo, Little Ben and all the other 28 QB's that will be watching Joe this week end. Nuff said.

[H8R]

[quote name='steelraven' timestamp='1326832034' post='955539']
Joe doesn't beat Brady in any category. Brady didn't even start his rookie season, he didn't start until third game of his second year and won a super bowl the went back to back in 03 & 04,with a bunch of nobody's to throw to.
[/quote]

On the leg of Adam Viniteri and the defense loaded with play makers... People forget that part... Also, he got to take it all in for a bit (. Brady). Not getting thrown in the fire one week before openIng day (Flacco). Notice, all of the "elites" other then Peyton, won with a very solid if not GREAT defense.

[The Mom Gene]

[quote name='The Greek' timestamp='1326832637' post='955588']
119 1/2 hours till gametime
[/quote]

and I just spoke to a colleague up there... Warm... around 50 degrees... balmy... and partly cloudy on Sunday

[UBenSugged55]

So where do all the analysts get their "facts" about why Joe is such a horrible quarterback? Keep doing your thing Joe and don't try and be anyone else but yourself. We love you here in B-more!

[unbreakable22]

Why does Flacco have a Tebow-esque motion in that picture?