Rob Long: Playoff Anticipation
It seems that the Baltimore sports community is suffering from a case of anticipation. With the first home play-off game in five years looming, it's starting to sound like we're searching for things to talk about.
Usually, when that happens, Joe Flacco is the target. Some of the things that are said about Flacco are accurate and some aren't. He's the most polarizing figure on this team and maybe in this city. If the team wins, it's in spite of him. If they lose, it's largely because of him. That's the way things have gone.
Some of the criticism that Flacco gets is warranted. While his regular season number over his career have been decent, his post-season numbers haven't, and after going to the play-offs year after year, you're measured by your post-season success. Joe Flacco's numbers in the post-season are listed below:
Date Opponent Comp/Att Yards TDs/INTs
Jan. 4, 2009 Dolphins 9/23 135 0/0
Jan. 10, 2009 Titans 11/22 161 1/0
Jan. 18, 2009 Steelers 13/30 141 0/3
Jan. 10, 2010 Patriots 4/10 34 0/1
Jan.16, 2010 Colts 20/30 189 0/2
Jan. 9, 2011 Chiefs 25/34 265 2/0
Jan. 15, 2001 Steelers 16/30 125 1/1
Let's see what happens this year. Their offense hasn't been good in play-off games for the most part at all, even before Joe Flacco. It has to get better for this team to win a championship. This isn't 2000.
Rob Long
