Flacco’s honeymoon over in Baltimore

By Neal Coolong  |   Monday, October 13, 2008  |  Comments( 4 )

Baltimore Ravens
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Baltimore's 2-0 start brought around talks of a surprise playoff entry in 2008.

Injuries and the returning-to-earth performances of rookie quarterback Joe Flacco seem to be ending those hopes. Most recently, Baltimore's razor-thin secondary was shellacked by Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning, and the Ravens dropped their third straight game. Flacco threw three interceptions, and their running game managed just 51 yards.

Commentary: Which should be more of a concern for the Ravens right now, the fact they've been without cornerbacks Samari Rolle and Fabian Washington and safety Dawan Landry, or the fact Flacco was responsible for four of the team's five turnovers Sunday? Perhaps it's the fact the team that led the NFL in rushing after two weeks has gone from 190 yards a game to 133.

And it's falling fast.

Without rookie Ray Rice's 23 yards on six carries, the Ravens had 28 yards rushing, led by Willis McGahee's 18 yards on eight attempts. Le'Ron McClain had minus-2 yards on two carries, but they never really had a chance to get going. The absence of Rolle, Washington and Landry let Manning get up big early; it also forced Flacco to throw, which isn't an ideal scenario for the run-heavy Ravens. It's a blueprint the remaining opponents of the Ravens will study.

Fan Pulse: Ravens fans posting on the Extreme Ravens Message Board are discussing their displeasure with their depth at cornerback.

Fantasy Football Impact: Not every team has the big-play ability of the Colts, but Flacco struggled mightily against the Cover 2 defense of Indianapolis, strongly supporting the theory that Flacco isn't to the point where he can put the game on his shoulders and pull out a win. That lessens the fantasy value of every Raven.

Injury Watch: McGahee and guard Marshall Yanda both left Sunday's game with undisclosed injuries, spelling further gloom on a team that's quickly falling behind AFC North-leadng Pittsburgh (4-1), which was idle in Week 6.
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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one ...
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