Flacco leading surprising offense for Ravens

Nov 10, 2008 - 8:51 PM By Bob Bob Birge PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

Remember when Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs suggested that rookie quarterback Joe Flacco should be benched?

Since Suggs made that comment during the week of Baltimore's game against Oakland on October 26, Flacco has led the Ravens to three victories, extending the team's overall winning streak to four games.

Baltimore (6-3) has moved into a first-place tie with Pittsburgh in the AFC North. The Ravens have matched their longest winning streak since ending the 2006 campaign.

"We're getting better and better each week," Flacco. "Our main goal is to improve each week and hit our stride where it counts the most. We're starting to improve each week and that's the best thing there is."

The Ravens aren't merely winning. They're also getting the kind of offensive production that had been virtually non-existent in recent seasons.

Baltimore has long been known for its defense, dating to the Ravens' victory over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV in 2001.

Since 2002, the Ravens have ranked no better than 17th in the NFL in scoring. They were 24th last season, averaging 17.2 points per game.

Yet they have scored 37 and 41 points in the last two contests and are 12th in the league in scoring this season at 23.2.

Flacco has limited his mistakes, completing a more-than-respectable 62 percent of his passes for 1,649 yards and seven touchdowns.

Last week the Delaware product was 15-of-23 for 185 yards and two touchdowns as the Ravens surpassed 40 points on the road for the first time since 1999.

"I think momentum swings don't affect him too much and he comes out and plays the next series," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "He takes care of business."

Veteran Ravens tight end Todd Heap has been impressed by Flacco's cool demeanor in the huddle.

Perhaps the most telling thing about Flacco, however, is that he has now gone four games without throwing an interception.

"We could have a horrible play," Heap said. "We had a couple of 2nd-and-25s and 3rd-and-20s, a couple of tough situations to overcome, and he just comes in the huddle and we don't get flustered."

Heap also was encouraged by the way the Ravens put away the Texans in the second half last week. Baltimore broke open a close game with 22 unanswered points in the second half.

"It's the first time we've done it in that fashion yet this year," said Heap, who caught a 1-yard TD pass from Flacco in the fourth quarter. I think we kind of got in a little rhythm of running the ball, moving the ball down the field. To finish drives the way we did in the second half, I think we need to learn from that and expand on that."

Flacco's composure will be tested this week when the Ravens visit the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants, who improved to 8-1 following a 36-31 victory at Philadelphia on Sunday night.

Still, the Ravens have come a long way in a short period of time. They really didn't know what to expect from Flacco, who was forced into the starting role due to the viral infection that sidelined Troy Smith in the preseason.

Now, they are comfortable with having a rookie in the huddle.

Of course, the Ravens' enthusiasm should be somewhat tempered as they beaten only team (Miami) that currently has a winning record. Their other five wins have come against Cleveland (3-6, twice), Cincinnati (1-8), Oakland (2-7) and Houston (3-6).

Flacco will have to continue to prove himself as the Ravens face all four NFC East teams over the final seven weeks of the season. They have Philadelphia and Washington at home and the Giants and Dallas on the road.