Baltimore Ravens Season Preview: Offensive Breakdown

Quarterbacks: Joe Flacco, Tyrod Taylor

Aug 16, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

After over a decade of instability at quarterback, the Ravens found the franchise in Joe Flacco. And now that Tyrod Taylor enters his fourth season, the Ravens have perhaps the most stable group of quarterbacks in the league.

Of course, stable personnel does not guarantee stable play. Flacco, for all the good he has done for the franchise, is about as inconsistent as a franchise quarterback can be. But he turns it on in the biggest situations. Fourth quarters. Playoffs. Two-minute drills. Flacco is among the best quarterbacks in the game in these situations. I can think of 20 other quarterbacks who may be better in the first 58 minutes of a game, but I would take Flacco over all of them in the last two.

As for Taylor, he continues to be the Ravens’ backup despite being a mediocre at best passer. He can generate some offense just because of his mobility, but good defenses would completely shut him down should he be forced to play for a significant period of time.

Despite Flacco’s poor 2013, this is a position of strength. Flacco was excellent in the preseason and looks comfortable in Gary Kubiak‘s new offense. Flacco exceeded a passer rating of 90 in all three games he played, significantly better than his 73.1 rating a year ago.

With more weapons, improved coaching and better protection, Flacco could be in line for a career season. At the very least, he should be better than 2013.