Flacco Outplays Brady

by Bruce Raffel on Jan 23, 2012 1:00 PM EST

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 22: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks with Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens after defeating the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium on January 22, 2012 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The New England Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens 20-23. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

One thing was not debatable in the Baltimore Ravens 23-20 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game: Ravens QB Joe Flacco outplayed his counterpart on the Patriots, Tom Brady. Even Brady said in his post-game interview, "I sucked." Obviously, while Tom did not actually "suck," he was definitely not the better quarterback on the field on this day.

Joe Flacco was under pressure from the media to show up and perform like a championship QB or continue being under the microscope and label more of a "game-manager" than an "elite" QB. He shut up a lot of critics yesterday, having one of the better games of his career, certainly the best of his playoff career and easily the best of the day among all four conference championship signal-callers.

Flacco finished with the exact same number of completions and attempts as Brady did (22 of 36), but amassed 306 passing yards to Brady's 239. Flacco threw two TD passes and we all know he should have had a third, which would have been the game-winner, but alas, no-can-do. Brady did rush for a score, but for the first time in 18 straight playoff games, did not throw for one, which should be another testament to the great job that the Ravens did in containing him.

Flacco threw one costly interception, but even Brady threw more, throwing two, both which kept the Ravens in the game; the first stopping a drive and the second giving the ball right back to Baltimore right after Joe threw his own pick. Tom Brady lost to the Baltimore Ravens 33-14 in the playoffs a couple of years ago and had his worst post season QB Rating ever (49). Sunday afternoon, he had his second worst ever (57.5), while Joe Flacco's was a solid 95.4.

In addition, with all the problems the skeptic have spewed about Flacco not being able to find his receivers, 12 of his 22 completions went to his three main wide receivers. Anquan Boldin had 6 catches for 101 yards and a 16.8 average, Torrey Smith had 3 catches for 82 yards, a 27.3 average and one TD, and Lee Evans hauled in 3 catches for 39 yards, a 13.0 average, but not the one more reception that would have made a huge difference.

The Ravens put up almost 400 yards of total offense (398), more than enough to not only shut up the nay-sayers, but also enough to win the game. Unfortunately, that did not happen and there has to be a winner and loser in every game. Just ask Ravens head coach John Harbaugh's brother, Jim, head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, devastated losers in overtime to the New York Giants yesterday.

However, Joe Flacco was definitely NOT the reason the Ravens lost to the Patriots. In fact, no one single player can be blamed for the defeat, although there are certainly currently two players receiving the most scrutiny for what could have been. Flacco proved he may not be in the group of the so-called "elite" QB's of the NFL, but yesterday he did proved that for at least one game, he certainly can play just like one.

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definitely the bright side

if a loss like that can have one. and for me it’s not that Joe played so well, but that he played so well in front of the whole nation and hopefully shut some of the naysayers up. I always knew he could do it because he HAS done it

by GayleG on Jan 23, 2012 1:15 PM EST via Android app reply actions

The future is very bright with Flacco at the helm. A new offensive coordinator would make it even brighter.

If less is more, imagine how much more more would be

by JonnyJam on Jan 23, 2012 1:37 PM EST reply actions

Not sure that will happen. We were 4th in the AFC in PPG and when we needed it most, Cam called his best game of the year. He had his brain farts this year and a few last night, but Rice got his carries and Flacco came on very, very strong in the 2nd half of the season.

Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.

Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang

by Mr MaLoR on Jan 23, 2012 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

For me one of two things have to happen. One is we let cam walk and bring in someone else to see if they can get a more consistent offense going that’s more tailored to our strengths, or two we absolutely need to go out and get another playmaker at WR in the draft. That offense simple requires we have someone else who can consistently make plays down the field. If we are going to keep Cam we need to dedicate this off-season to finding players to fit that system. While he called a good game we have to find more consistency throughout the year.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jan 23, 2012 2:09 PM EST up reply actions

While he called a good game we have to find more consistency throughout the year.

Definitely agree with this. But I thought we did start to see some of that once Rice was getting his 20 touches. The only problem is that this offense clearly has the personnel to throw for 300 yards every game, and not sure Cam knows that.

Which ever decision Ozzie makes, I will support because I see the reasoning from both sides.

by Mr MaLoR on Jan 23, 2012 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah it really is a toss up at this point.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jan 23, 2012 2:31 PM EST up reply actions

I strongly disagree

He faced a patriots D that is well below average, even of they played well that game.

Brady faced probably the best overall D of the last 10 years.

You can’t put the game on flaccos shoulders IMO.

It’s not like you guys can upgrade, but I don’t see the progression that you would have liked to see after this many years

@THEREALALLENOU on twitter - "The man, the verb, the legend" OU'd

by AllenOU on Jan 23, 2012 1:41 PM EST via mobile reply actions

You’re right, what can we give you for Yates?

by Mr MaLoR on Jan 23, 2012 1:46 PM EST up reply actions

haha touche sir

that was actually funny

@THEREALALLENOU on twitter - "The man, the verb, the legend" OU'd

by AllenOU on Jan 24, 2012 11:32 AM EST up reply actions

While statistically they are just watching the game you could tell that was not the same D from the whole season. Flacco was forced to throw in some tight windows a few times and Wilfork probably had the best game of his career. He nearly singlehandedly wrecked our game plan. We had no answer for him.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jan 23, 2012 2:05 PM EST up reply actions

Remember how Texans’ fans were saying that the Pats would light us up? Remember that? What a bunch of geniuses.

Follow @mfrazie

by BAL_Hawk on Jan 24, 2012 9:27 AM EST up reply actions

I picked you guys to win jack ass

@THEREALALLENOU on twitter - "The man, the verb, the legend" OU'd

by AllenOU on Jan 24, 2012 11:33 AM EST up reply actions

I tend to agree

The consensus among many of my fellow Pats fans is that Brady had a pretty bad day, to put it mildly. Flacco made key throws when he needed to, despite a surprising amount of pressure from the Pats’ D. He needs to play better in 13 days or risk getting socked in the mouth by another strong D.

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

by MaPatsFan on Jan 23, 2012 1:45 PM EST reply actions

^Brady needs to play better, that is

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

by MaPatsFan on Jan 23, 2012 1:46 PM EST up reply actions

Flacco outplayed Brady

Two plays (for me anyway) stick out from that game -

Brady missing a wide open Gronkowski, for a touchdown, running up the seam – was it in the 1st. quarter ? And, the dumbest play of the day – Brady trying to go downfield to Slater (was it?) right after the Spikes pick. I really thought those two gaffs by Brady might cost the Patriots the football game. Almost did.

by profootballfan on Jan 23, 2012 2:06 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Agree

Brady was right he did suck. He missed a wide open Gronk for a touchdown. Gronk’s arms are like ten feet long, so it was a crappy throw. The throw to Slater was both a terrible throw and terrible call.

"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver

by rebop on Jan 23, 2012 2:12 PM EST up reply actions

Game's not close if Brady hits Gronk & doesn't give the ball right back after the pick

by profootballfan on Jan 23, 2012 4:36 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Flacco is a franchise QB

and he absolutely outplayed Brady. Although, if the Patriots and Ravens D’s switched sides, that would not be true.

Lakers and Patriots forever.

by D.S.T. on Jan 23, 2012 2:50 PM EST reply actions

this year we twice found ourselves in a crucial situation when joe needed to step up. it was @pitt and yesterday. he did rock solid both times. one was against the best pass D, the other against the worst pass D. this is just enough for me to trust in joe and in a new OC (although this latter one was not that horror yesterday, either). joe need a new OC, lot of rumors about some tension with cam.

by captain dobey on Jan 23, 2012 2:59 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Flacco is a franchise QB

I think NOT! He did not out play t braddy, if he did, the RAVENS WOULD HAVE WON THE GAME. Crucial interception at the wrong time not to mention, the patsy’s tried to give him the game and he still couldn’t capitolize!

by UBMEAN2 on Jan 23, 2012 4:09 PM EST reply actions

whats wrong with you?

by captain dobey on Jan 23, 2012 4:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Wake up, UB

If you are a Brady fan, listen to him, as Tom even said, “I sucked”

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Jan 23, 2012 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

Are you serious?

All Evans had to do was hold on to a brilliantly thrown TD pass, and we’re not having this discussion…

by TXRavensFan on Jan 23, 2012 6:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

and that wasn't the only costly drop

I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.

by GeoFly on Jan 23, 2012 6:22 PM EST up reply actions

There is nothing so delusional as a hometown QB hater.

UBMEAH2 is typical of the breed. We have plenty of them in Houston, too.

Flacco played a brilliant game. He so far outplayed Brady it wasn’t even close. It wasn’t his fault the Ravens didn’t win. Wilfork played an equally brilliant game for NE, Lee Evans dropped the game-winning TD pass and Cundiff missed a chip shot: that was the story.

The Ravens have their franchise QB. If there was any doubt, Flacco removed it yesterday.

"How can an idiot be a policeman? Answer me that!"
-Chief Inspector Dreyfus

by FreedomRide on Jan 23, 2012 7:48 PM EST up reply actions

Freedom

I re-watched the game last night and yes, Flacco had a good game but, Brady was pretty good too. Brady was up against a much tougher pass-defense than Flacco was. In the face of that super-tough defense, Brady made six or seven throws that were key completions in extending two or three drives, so that they became scoring drives. Flacco had his completions but, the coverage he threw into was nothing like what Brady faced.

Brady made two big mistakes – he missed Gronk for an easy TD, down the seam in the 1st quarter and he gave the ball right back (bad throw downfield to Slater) to the Ravens after the nice pick of Flacco by Spikes. No doubt – Brady was off, just a bit, the whole afternoon.

One of the commonly held “truisms” of this pro football season was thankfully dispelled this past Sunday – the one: the Patriots can’t win unless Tom Brady plays out of his ass – well New England just won the AFCCG vs. a very good opponent with Brady submitting a sub-par performance.

by profootballfan on Jan 24, 2012 12:01 PM EST up reply actions

game plan

Patriot game plan, Stop Ray Rice & put the game in Joe Flacco’s hands.
Why? They believed that Joe’s best game can’t beat them.
Outcome! Even on a day when Brady is playing with an injury, he shows his championship heart & wins a game against a ferocious Raven defense.
Joe plays his best game against the league’s worst defense & goes home a loser.
Question?? Who had the better game? the one with a W, or an L??
Slobber all you want over a passer rating & stats, I’ll take a leader on the field who takes his team to victory on the field, & not in a ‘what if’ game in a Raven fans fantasy world!!

by WhereHaveYouGoneJohnnyU on Jan 25, 2012 6:26 AM EST reply actions