In fact, Flacco has put up better statistics on the road than at M&T Bank Stadium. His 91.7 quarterback rating away from home last season ranked third in the NFL. He came through once again in this season's road opener, throwing for 190 yards and two touchdowns.
Defense delivers
The Ravens' offense has generated excitement this season, but the defense has long been the pulse of this team. In seven road wins last season, the defense returned four interceptions for touchdowns.
Linebacker-defensive end Terrell Suggs ran back two interceptions for scores at Miami and at Cleveland. Safety Jim Leonhard brought back a pick 35 yards for a touchdown at Cincinnati. And, in the playoff game at Miami, safety Ed Reed returned an interception 64 yards for a touchdown.
Even though the defense gave up too many big plays, it dug in when it had to at San Diego. Outside linebacker Antwan Barnes and safety Dawan Landry both intercepted passes in the second half, and linebacker Ray Lewis stuffed Darren Sproles on the Chargers' final play of the game.
Jump out to an early lead
This is probably the most obvious key to road success. But it might be the most important, too. Gaining and maintaining an advantage in the first half can turn a hostile, sellout crowd into a library.
In the Ravens' past eight road wins, they have outscored opponents 105-60 in the first half. In their past two losses, they trailed at halftime.
The Ravens' upcoming road challenges might rank as the toughest in the NFL, from New England's Gillette Stadium to Minnesota's Metrodome to Green Bay's Lambeau Field to Pittsburgh's Heinz Field.
"When you're a player in the National Football League, you live for that stuff," Flacco said. "Your job is to put points on the board and quiet them down."
Traveling in style
Since Oct. 19, 2008, the Ravens are 8-2 on the road (including the playoffs), the second-best record in the NFL during that stretch. A look at the top five road teams since Week 7 of last season:
Team Road rec. Pct.
Miami 5-1 .833
Ravens 8-2 .800
Minn. 5-2 .714
Giants 5-2 .714
Indy 5-2 .714
Phila. 5-2-1 .687
A turn in the road
After losing their last five road games of the 2007 season and first two of 2008, the Ravens are 8-2 away from M&T Bank Stadium. Here's how they've done in enemy territory during that stretch:
Date Site Result Skinny
