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2016 AFC North Rankings by Position: Quarterbacks

By Joe Serpico

Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) talks to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) after their 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. The Ravens won 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) talks to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) after their 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. The Ravens won 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) celebrates after the Ravens
Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) celebrates after the Ravens /

No. 2: Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco

It was a tough debate about who was No. 2 and No. 3 here, but Flacco gets the nod because he has been clutch in big time games. Andy Dalton still has not a won a postseason game in four tries.

Flacco is coming off the worst statistical season of his career in terms of yards and touchdowns, which is a result of suffering the first major injury since joining the Ravens in 2008. Looking deeper into the numbers, Flacco had the best completion percentage of his career and was averaging more yards per game in 2016 than any previous season. Playing from behind much of the season had a lot to do with the huge increase in yards per game.

The Ravens went through a quarterback carousel once Flacco went down with an ACL injury, but Ryan Mallett impressed in his two starts and will serve as the backup. Flacco should be ready to start the season, but Marc Trestman feels comfortable with Mallett running the offense if need be early on.

The never-ending debate is whether Flacco is elite or not. Whether he deserves his contract. It does not matter. He has won 85 of the 137 games he’s played in and was lights out in the Ravens’ most recent Super Bowl run. There are several teams in the NFL that would love to have him on their roster.

Next: Cincinnati's Savior

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