Tag: Joe Flacco

Jim Harbaugh looking to beat brother for first time: ‘Back on a team that has a chance’

After nine seasons of coaching in the college ranks, Jim returned to the NFL and will have another opportunity to beat his brother.

The Chargers and Ravens will meet this Monday night, marking the third time Jim and John Harbaugh will face off against each other.

The last time the two brothers went head-to-head was nearly 12 years ago in Super Bowl XLVII at the Superdome in New Orleans, LA, when Jim was the head coach of the 49ers.

The Ravens, led by quarterback Joe Flacco, opened with a strong first half with a 21-6 lead by halftime. Up 28-6, a power outage put America’s biggest sporting event on hold for over thirty minutes.

Soon after, the 49ers responded in the second half with 17 unanswered points, including a 31-yard touchdown pass by Colin Kaepernick, to make it 28-23. San Francisco trailed 34-29 at the two-minute warning, but a turnover on downs followed by an intentional safety cost them the game. 

Baltimore won by the score of 34-31. Flacco finished with three touchdown passes, and Jacoby Jones returned a kickoff 108 yards for a score.

“That loss was tough, but after some reflection and time, it’s my brother and best friend,” Jim said. “I’m really proud of him and happy for his success. It was earned.”

After nine seasons in the college ranks and leading the Michigan Wolverines to a national championship, Jim returned to the NFL with another opportunity to beat his brother for the first time.

“Walking off the field at that Super Bowl was like, there will be another day. And then there wasn’t for many years and it looked like I wouldn’t have a chance for another day,” Jim added. “But by the grace of God, I’m back in it and back on a team that has a chance.”

Colts make quarterback decision for rest of 2024 season

The Colts are going back to quarterback Anthony Richardson. The Broncos will host Indy in Week 15.

The Indianapolis Colts are going back to quarterback Anthony Richardson for the rest of the 2024 NFL season, coach Shane Steichen announced Wednesday.

This marks a reversal from just two days ago when Steichen said Joe Flacco would start against the New York Jets in Week 11. Indianapolis has decided to instead start Richardson for the remainder of the season.

“We’ve made it very clear to him that he’s our quarterback going forward,” Steichen said before the Colts practiced on Wednesday.

Richardson, 22, went 3-3 as a starter to begin the year. He completed 44.4% of his passes for 958 yards with four touchdowns against seven interceptions. Richardson also rushed 41 times for 242 yards and a touchdown.

Flacco, 39, went 1-3 as a starter over the last four weeks. The veteran completed 66.5% of his passes for 1,167 yards with nine touchdowns against five interceptions.

Indy’s decision could impact the Denver Broncos (5-5) as the Colts (4-6) are competing for a wild card spot in the AFC playoffs. Denver will host Indianapolis at Empower Field at Mile High in Week 15 on Dec. 15.

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Indianapolis Colts QB Joe Flacco will start in Week 11 vs Jets

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that QB Joe Flacco will again get the start in Week 11 vs. the Jets.

Even after reviewing the game film and having the opportunity to sleep on it, Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters on Monday that Joe Flacco will again get the start in Week 11 against the New York Jets.

When Steichen was asked why the team won’t go back to Richardson, he said “Not ever losing faith or trust in him. We’re going through a process.”

Steichen still believes that Flacco gives the Colts the best chance to win, noting his “veteran leadership” after Sunday’s loss to Buffalo. And despite losing three straight games and sitting at 4-6 on the season, the Colts’ playoff hopes are still alive, with Indianapolis just one game behind Denver for the final wildcard spot.

While that is still true, with each passing week, an already highly questionable decision to bench Anthony Richardson looks worse and worse as the offense continues to look abysmal.

On the season, the Colts are now 1-3 in games where Flacco starts at quarterback. Over the last two weeks specifically, he is responsible for six turnovers and the offense has scored a combined 26 points with him at quarterback–seven of which came in the final minute against Buffalo when the game was already out of reach.

In general, the passing game has been very disjointed, and there’s also no threat of utilizing the quarterback in the run game or the ability to extend plays to at least provide some other avenue for the offense to move the ball.

By starting Flacco two weeks ago, the Colts put their long-term plans on hold with Richardson–a quarterback who needs reps and experience is now on pace to enter his third NFL season with just 10 career starts if Flacco plays the remainder of the year.

And for what? To potentially make the playoffs as the seventh seed? The organization sees an opportunity to win-now, whatever that means, and is attempting to do so at the expense of their young quarterback.

The Colts have said that they aren’t giving up on Richardson and that taking a step back should help. Sure, in theory, that sounds great, but in terms of working out in a positive way for Indianapolis, recent history isn’t on their side.

Instead, the Colts are choosing to further delay the long-term growth of Richardson as they chase the short-term satisfaction of being a playoff team–which is going poorly. The only reason they remain in the hunt is because the teams ahead of them keep losing as well.

(This article was updated to provide additional information.)

Colts should already regret benching Anthony Richardson after Joe Flacco threw 2 picks in first 8 plays

The Colts benched Anthony Richardson for Joe Flacco, who looks washed up.

The Indianapolis Colts benched second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson early because they didn’t want to alienate their locker room. They also did it because they had faith that 39-year-old veteran Joe Flacco would give their offense a high floor of performance.

Uh, about that.

Just one week after Flacco averaged 6.6 yards per pass attempt in a Sunday night loss against the Minnesota Vikings, he threw a pick-six on the Colts’ first offensive play from scrimmage to the Buffalo Bills’ Taron Johnson. Then, to follow that up, he threw an interception to Buffalo defensive tackle Austin Johnson on the Colts’ eighth play.

That’s right. Two disastrous picks in the first eight plays as the guy who was supposed to be the steady, calm veteran over the “inexperienced” and “chaotic” young guy.

How poetic:

By no means do I think Richardson would be faring better — however, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell seems to disagree. Still, it’s hard to argue against getting him more valuable reps while watching an almost 40-year-old Flacco flail about and fail in the most comical possible fashion.

Congratulations, Colts. You reap what you sow. You better hope Richardson’s confidence isn’t ruined when he inevitably takes over again.

Causes for concern as the Bills face the Colts in Week 10

Causes for concern as the Bills face the Colts in Week 10

The Buffalo Bills will travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts in Week 10 at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Bills (7-2) and Colts (4-5) have been trending in different directions as of late. The Bills have won four in a row while the Colts have lost their last two.

The Bills haven’t won in Indianapolis since 1999. This week, they are four-point favorites to win against a solid Colts team. Even though the Bills will be picked to win by many, there are always a few things that make winning difficult each week. The Bills will need to be wary of them.

Here are three causes for concern for the Bills in Week 10:

Joe Flacco can still sling it

USA Today Sports

In his 17th year in the NFL, Joe Flacco still has a more-than-capable throwing arm. Thrust into the starting lineup for a struggling Anthony Richardson, Flacco has the numbers to back that he is a threat through the air at 39 years old.

In four games played this year, he has posted seven touchdowns with just two interceptions and a 94.5 passer rating. In games that Richardson played this year, the Colts averaged 18.8 points per game, and with Flacco, they are averaging 23.5 ppg.

The Bills passing defense, which ranks 15th in the NFL in DVOA, will be tested in Week 10.

Jonathan Taylor on the ground

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With running back Jonathan Taylor in the backfield, and now Flacco under center, the Colts offer a balanced attack on offense. Taylor is coming off of an unproductive Week 9 when he had 48 rushing yards and just 3.7 yards per carry against a stout Minnesota Vikings defense.

He’ll be looking to bounce back, and he has a history of gashing the Bills. In 2021, Taylor had 185 yards and five rushing touchdowns in a Colts blowout win over the Bills.

The Bills will have to gameplan to try to limit what he can do. Last week, the Bills gave up over five yards per carry to both Miami Dolphins’ running backs. While they have gotten gashed a few times on the ground this year, their run defense still ranks sixth in DVOA. Facing Taylor will be a good measuring stick to see what the Bills’ front seven can handle.

Colts keep it close

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Every game for the Colts this year has been a one-score game. They haven’t lost by more than eight and haven’t won by more than six. They’ve been in all nine games to this point. Despite being 4-5 and making a recent quarterback switch, they’re a better team than many think. They very well could be above .500 had Flacco been the starter all year.

At home, the Colts are 3-1 this year, including a 27-24 win with Flacco under center over a good Pittsburgh Steelers team. If Bills fans have a strong showing like they did in Seattle two weeks ago, it would be a big boost for the team.

Bills vs. Colts: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 10

Bills vs. Colts: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 10

The Buffalo Bills (7-2) will face the Indianapolis Colts (4-5) on the road in their upcoming Week 10 matchup.

The games within the game will make all the difference for the Bills as they try to win in Indianapolis for the first time since 1999.

Here are three key matchups to watch during Sunday’s Bills-Colts contest:

Bills front seven vs. Jonathan Taylor

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The Bills’ front seven has been inconsistent this year in defending the ground game, and they have been under the microscope this week after allowing the Miami Dolphins to run all over them. Running backs De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert each averaged over five yards per carry and combined for 119 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Now, they have Jonathan Taylor to worry about.

Taylor has been one of the best backs in the NFL when healthy since he entered the league. This year he is averaging an impressive 4.8 yards per carry and is 19th in the NFL in rushing yards (502), just ahead of James Cook (496).

The Bills will need execution and effort from their front seven throughout the game to keep Taylor in check. Guys like DaQuan Jones, Ed Oliver, and Greg Rousseau will be counted on to make an impact at the line of scrimmage.

CB Taron Johnson vs. WR Josh Downs

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Slot cornerback Taron Johnson, a second-team All-Pro last year, will be tested by a young up-and-comer in Week 10. Second-year wide receiver Josh Downs operates out of the slot and has quickly gained rapport with quarterback Joe Flacco.

In four games together this year, Downs has averaged 9.75 targets, 7.5 receptions, and 69.25 receiving yards per contest. He has the most catches from Flacco by a decent margin and has been the most-targeted receiver in all four games.

Johnson has a tough task with keeping tabs on Downs and also being ready to head downhill to tackle Taylor in the running game. It’s a tall task but that’s nothing new for one of the best nickel corners in the game.

QB Joe Flacco vs. Bills pass coverage

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We could more widely talk about the playcalling duel between Shane Steichen and Bobby Babich, but let’s zoom in a bit. Flacco vs the Bills’ coverage will be a chess match to watch.

Flacco has been around the block. In his 17th year, he is still proving he can be effective. He has seven touchdowns and two interceptions through four games played, and his 94.5 passer rating ranks 14th in the NFL.

The Bills passing defense struggled against the Dolphins last week as Tua Tagovailoa completed 89% of his passes. The Bills currently rank middle-of-the-pack in passing defense DVOA (15th).

The defense might have a little bit of an easier day if WR Michael Pittman Jr. can’t play due to injury, but what would really help them is having more of a pass rush.

Is Joe Flacco elite? Time to roll out the meme again.

We have to bring back this meme once again.

We have spent years on this meme: Is Joe Flacco elite?

It was meant to be a joke (I think), but it’s grown throughout the years, in all sorts of ways we never could have predicted.

He won a Super Bowl and the championship game’s MVP with the Baltimore Ravens (elite!). He then became a veteran journeyman who struggled in Denver and New York with the Broncos and Jets (not elite!).

And then? Well, last year happened with the Cleveland Browns — he helped lead them to a playoff berth after four wins in five starts. He looked pretty darn good.

And now? He’s the starting QB for the Indianapolis Colts, replacing the struggling Anthony Richardson. The Colts’ passing offense looks A LOT better with him under center.

This late-career swing has reignited the debate: is Joe Flacco really elite? Guess we’ll see the rest of this year.

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Colts name starting quarterback for Sunday against the Vikings

The Vikings now know who they will be facing on Sunday and it is not who others have played against when facing the Colts.

In a shocking turn of events, the Indianapolis Colts have named Joe Flacco the starting quarterback for Sunday night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. Head coach Shane Steichen hinted that this was the move when he declined to commit to Anthony Richardson on Monday.

Richardson, the former first-round pick, has completed just 44.4% of his passes and asked to be subbed out for one play this past Sunday due to ‘being tired’. He has yet to complete more than 50% of his passes this season — something Viking fans would’ve loved to see on Sunday.

But instead, Minnesota will face veteran Joe Flacco. Last season, the Cleveland Browns turned to Flacco, who led the Browns to a 4-1 record down the stretch and into the playoffs. He is 1-1 with the Colts this season and threw for 359 yards and three scores against the Jaguars earlier in the year.

The Minnesota secondary will have to be up to standard on Sunday with Flacco at the helm.

Jameis Winston joins Joe Flacco in only Browns QBs to win these awards since 2022

Jameis Winston has been named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Cleveland Browns started quarterback Jameis Winston this past weekend and saw immediate dividends as they did with Joe Flacco a year ago.

Defeating the Baltimore Ravens, Winston threw for 343 yards and three touchdowns. Winston joins Flacco as the only Browns quarterback to win weekly awards for their performances under center, something Deshaun Watson has never done since coming over from the Houston Texans.

As a result, Winston has been named as the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. Flacco won this award for the Browns in Week 16 of last season. This was not the only award that Winston won this week, however.

He also took home the prestigious Nickelodeon NVP award as well. Flacco also won this award, getting slimed by former Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper, in Week 16 a year ago.

Sitting at 2-6, the Browns shockingly still have hope as the rest of the AFC is in the dumps with supposed contenders like the Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets all down and sitting at least two games below .500 as well.

Can Winston pull the Browns up by their bootstraps?

Michael Pittman learned Joe Flacco was his new starting QB via social media because the Colts are doing great

Yes, why tell your top wideout his starting quarterback’s been benched?

Michael Pittman Jr., like the rest of the Indianapolis Colts’ offense, is going through a rough patch in 2024.

The big-bodied possession receiver has seen his numbers drop for the league’s 19th-ranked offense. His receptions per game are down from a career-best 6.8 in 2023 to just 3.6 this fall. His 41.5 percent success rate on targets is a career low by nearly 10 full points.

The culprit is an unstable passing game. Second year quarterback Anthony Richardson dialed up the kind of big downfield throws you’d want from a franchise quarterback, but completed just 44 percent of them to start the season. That led to a change before Week 9, making 38-year-old veteran Joe Flacco the team’s starter.

Pittman wasn’t given the chance to offer the Indianapolis coaching staff his thoughts about a potential switch before it happened. In fact, he didn’t even know Flacco was being elevated until he read about it on social media.

That’s a rough look for a team whose inconsistency has doomed it to a 4-4 record this fall. The Colts are very much in the playoff race, which is what justified the switch from the high ceiling, low floor passing of Richardson to the more stable Flacco. It still feels like something that should have been communicated to the team’s wideouts before it hit Twitter, however.