So there you have it, Ravens fans. You got what you asked for: a great statistical postseason game from Joe Flacco. You were never satisfied with wins. You only wanted to see if Joe could "do it." This is what it looks like when your quarterback "does it" and the rest of your team doesn't.

All you ever wanted was a statistically attractive Joe Flacco game. You wanted to see him go into a hostile environment, under pressure, and complete tough passes. You wanted to see him put his team on his back and march the offense down the field. You wanted to see him outplay an elite quarterback in the postseason. You wanted to see him move in the pocket and extend plays to create his own touchdowns. You wanted to stop hearing about the excuses for why Joe Flacco hasn't pulled it off yet.

There are no excuses anymore. Flacco went out there and did it. He out played Tom Brady, in the box score and on the football field. He had Patriots fans shaking in their shoes. He did everything that the Tyrod Taylor fanbase said he couldn't do, and we lost.

It has been asked many times in jest if you would rather see Flacco have a 4000-yard season and lose in the first round, or an ugly 3600-yard season with a chance at the Super Bowl. That question was painfully answered today. For all of the rational fans who were happy to see Flacco play decently but not dazzlingly in a win, here is your painful rebuttal to the fans who wondered after those wins why Flacco couldn't do more.

It never mattered. All that ever mattered was the win. And today, the Patriots got that win. We didn't. And for once, you can't possibly find a way to blame Flacco. Before today, you didn't want to hear excuses for why Flacco's numbers weren't better. After today, I don't want to hear any excuses for why the Patriots are competing for a Super Bowl.

What a terrible way to prove a quarterback's worth to his team.