AFC Championship Game 2012: Joe Flacco Will Stamp Ravens' Ticket to Super Bowl

Joe Flacco holds the key to a Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl appearance. There is no questioning that this is the case. If Flacco plays well, Baltimore will make it to their second Super Bowl, but if he doesn’t play well, the Ravens will yet again be watching the biggest game of the season from the couch.

Flacco will stamp the Ravens’ ticket to Indianapolis to play in the Super Bowl after his performance against the New England Patriots on Sunday.

Living in Western Pennsylvania, I have had the opportunity to watch Flacco on many occasions and several instances live at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. I have seen the best and worst of Flacco in that span, and I truly believe that he can rise to the moment against the Patriots.

People like to compare his talents with Mark Sanchez's, but I don’t see the comparison. Sanchez is an average quarterback in the league, whereas Flacco is above average. An above-average quarterback should be able to find success with a quality run game and defense.   

Flacco has a great arm. He is underrated in what throws he can make and he can win games in the playoffs.

It comes down to whether or not he can be protected. If Flacco gets time, I see him having success against the Patriots and their 31^st-ranked pass defense—one that was one of the worst in league history.

Has Flacco struggled this season?

Yes.

He has passed for 3,610 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this year. Those aren’t exactly numbers from a top-10 quarterback in the league, which is what I think he is.

Did he struggle against the Texans last week?

Yes.

He was gift-wrapped two touchdowns, but struggled throughout the whole game. But Houston’s defense is 10 times better than what New England will bring on Sunday. They were constantly in the backfield causing havoc for Flacco and company.

New England’s defense has plagued them all season long. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Matt Moore torched their defense in the first quarter at the end of the season. If the Patriots are down 14 or 21 in the first quarter, Tom Brady will not be able to bring the score back to level.

The Patriots had the perfect game plan for Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos last weekend. It’s going to be slightly different against the Ravens—a team that can run with Ray Rice and pass with Flacco.

Flacco has the perfect opportunity to prove that he can help his team to an AFC Championship victory. He holds the key, and come Sunday, he’ll have it crafted to open the door to Indianapolis.