Patriots vs Ravens: Joe Flacco Must Take Advantage of Chance to Alter Perception

Joe Flacco is not only playing for a chance to take the Baltimore Ravens to the Super Bowl, he's playing for a chance to drastically change how he's viewed as a quarterback by fans and other players across the NFL. 

With one game, one victory, he can change it all. 

Not many quarterbacks get such an opportunity.

How much credit does Flacco deserve for the Baltimore Ravens' success over the last four seasons?

They've advanced to the postseason each year he's been under center, but many critics believe other facets of the team have been more directly responsible for the team's accomplishments.

The nationally-renowned defense, the effervescent and terrorizing Ray Rice and the coach, John Harbaugh, have received more praise for their contributions to a winning organization than Flacco. 

For the most part, the critics have been right. 

Flacco's been good, not especially great.

During the regular seasons, he's played admirably and typically taken care of business while his defense and running game flourished. 

He got over a huge step this season by sweeping the dreaded Pittsburgh Steelers. 

However, in Baltimore, success is expected, and for Flacco, the playoffs have been a different story. 

The former first-round pick has a remarkable four postseason road wins and has played the smallest in the biggest games. 

Even in most of those playoff triumphs, many believe the Ravens have won despite him, not because of him. 

He has completed less than 54 percent of his passes and has tossed six touchdowns to seven interceptions, good for a 66.2 QB rating in postseason contests. 

Last week, he essentially disappeared in the second stanza after throwing two first-half touchdowns. Interceptions by Lardarius Webb and Ed Reed sealed the victory in the fourth quarter. 

On Sunday, he's up against the league's best signal-caller, Tom Brady, who's attempting to earn the "Greatest of All-Time" distinction, in his house. 

The Patriots have one of the worst and easily-shredded secondaries in football. I have nothing but respect for the Ravens defense, but there's a good chance Flacco won't be able to lean on that unit to limit New England to 14 points.

Last time Baltimore won in Foxboro, Flacco completed 4-of-10 passes and was intercepted. 

He'll have to be better than that this weekend. 

The Ravens quarterback has an opportunity to unseat Brady and come up large on the road, in a hostile environment.

If he does it, he'll deservingly get all the credit in the world. 

Follow @ChrisTrapasso