Joe Flacco

Former Ravens quarterback and current ESPN NFL analyst Trent Dilfer recently evaluated the ceilings of the league's top passers under the age of 27 and ranked them based on their potential to become "elite. " You might be surprised by which players -- there are five of them -- Dilfer said had a higher ceiling than Joe Flacco. Flacco was sixth on Dilfer's list behind, in order, Josh Freeman, Mark Sanchez, Sam Bradford, Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan. The article was published before Sunday , so no, Dilfer wasn't typing this up as Flacco was chucking a pair of interceptions in the Ravens' 26-13 loss to the Titans in Tennessee.

The Ravens may soon have to make a critical decision regarding their franchise quarterback, Joe Flacco. If they don't sign the Super Bowl MVP to a contract extension before the March 4 deadline to place the franchise tag on a player, the Ravens must decide if they want to employ the more expensive exclusive tag. If the Ravens use the exclusive tag, Flacco would be in line to make $20.46 million, the average of the top five salary-cap figures for...

Every Tuesday, blogger Matt Vensel breaks down a critical play, sometimes with the help of Ravens players, from that week's game. Today he looks at Joe Flacco's mad scramble on third down late in Sunday's victory. The Ravens struggled to move the ball throughout Sunday's 9-6 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. But late in the game, all they needed was a pair of first downs to wind down the clock and escape Arrowhead Stadium with a win. At the start of that final drive, they had converted just once on third down.

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a Q&A with a Ravens player to help you learn a little more about the team. Today's guest is quarterback Joe Flacco, who tossed a career-high four touchdowns in Sunday's 31-7 thrashing of the Chicago Bears. Flacco discussed the pressure of being a franchise quarterback, the impact of his sprained right ankle and the worst nickname he's been given . Question: What is your reaction when you hear the phrase "Joe Flacco, franchise quarterback"?

After quarterback Joe Flacco threw the biggest touchdown pass of his NFL life, this is how he spent his time: Flacco went out with a couple of buddies to catch the Sunday night football game and talk about the Ravens' 17-14 comeback win at the Pittsburgh Steelers. He came to Ravens headquarters Monday and watched his game-winning 18-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Houshmandzadeh only once with the team. It's as if Flacco is already leading another key drive: ushering the first-place Ravens (3-1)

— Ravens veteran tight end Todd Heap put quarterback Joe Flacco 's performance into perspective, even though he was talking about himself. "Having a good game, personally, in the first game in the playoffs doesn't mean anything if you don't get it done in the second game," Heap said. He is correct, but what a great start for Flacco, the Ravens third-year quarterback. The Ravens and the city of Baltimore have put the pressure on Flacco to carry the Ravens through the 2010 postseason, and he delivered Sunday.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am not here today to trash Chad Henne. Chad Henne is a perfectly fine young quarterback. He might also be great to his mom, kind to animals and a tireless giver to charity. But there can be no disputing this: He's no Joe Flacco. Not at this stage of his career, anyway. OK, where's Flacco at this stage of his career? Well, he's hardly a finished product. He has a lot to learn. But all he has done since he came into the league is win. Last year, he became just the fourth starting quarterback since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 to reach the playoffs in his first two years in the league.

After the Ravens lost to the Steelers in the AFC Divisional Round in January, the front office and coaching staff have taken every opportunity to let Baltimore know that they have the Steel City in their crosshairs. It has been more than just words. In April, the Ravens drafted two unique players they hope will be difference-makers from the get-go -- physical cornerback Jimmy Smith and fleet-footed wide receiver Torrey Smith -- and they will attempt to fortify their roster in free agency if and when the NFL lockout ends.

While the NFL places an emphasis on protecting quarterbacks, the Ravens are questioning whether that mandate applies to Joe Flacco . Several Ravens were angered Sunday that the officials didn't throw a flag late in the third quarter when it appeared that New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith planted his knee against Flacco's helmet after a sack by defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson . "I know his last name is not [ Drew ]...