As we reach the home stretch, it's time to panic. Panic!!!
DON'T Forget That Joe Flacco's Middle Name Is Still "Mediocre"
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I know, I know: Joe Flacco had 29 points last week, the most in the league. I don't care. Flacco still overthrows open receivers, breaks down at crucial moments, and generally fails to compete the types of passes that guys like Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers make regularly. Now, does he suck like Mark Sanchez and Matt Cassel suck? No. But in the four weeks before last, Flacco scored 6, 13, 5, and 12 points. And his successful games before that came against two of the league's worst passing defenses, the Patriots and the Browns, as did his more recent high-scoring outing at the expense of the Raiders. Expect Flacco to flatline this week vs. Pittsburgh, unless the sheer horribleness of the Steelers' Byron Leftwich-helmed offense means that the Ravens have the ball for 45 minutes.
DO Get On The Matt Stafford Train
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Hi Matt Stafford. We forgive you for that slow start this season. After three TDs in two of your last three games, we're back on the Stafford train, where everyone's equipped with a red Solo cup and a popped collar. Stafford had both of those high-scoring games against solid defenses (Seattle and Minnesota), and this week he takes his show on the road to Green Bay, which has been getting picked on through the air lately. If you started Joe Flacco over him, I will personally come to your house and laugh at you and throw Cheetos at your face. Ha ha, you're a Cheetoface!