Week 9 at Tennessee Titans
Joe Flacco was an efficient 10-of-15 for 101 yards and a touchdown before getting knocked out of the game against the Dolphins last week. The Ravens absolutely crushed Miami, and ended up running the ball for most of the second half in a 40-0 drubbing.
This week, Flacco is supposed to be okay to play and will face a middling Tennessee defense. However, he’s been awful all season. Coming off an injury, coupled with his struggles this year, Flacco should remain on waivers.
Week 8 vs. Miami Dolphins
Joe Flacco threw for 186 yards and a touchdown last week against a tough Minnesota defense. He didn’t throw any picks, but the Baltimore offense still struggled to move the ball effectively for most of the game and the team ended up falling to 3-4 on the season. Flacco has struggled all year, and while there is some upside against the Dolphins this week, who just allowed 3 touchdown passes to Josh McCown, Flacco isn’t worth starting in any matchup with how poorly he’s performed. Leave him on waivers.
Week 7 at Minnesota Vikings
Joe Flacco had only 180 yards and a pair of interceptions last week against the Bears, despite throwing the ball 41 times during the game. He’s having a horrible season and has reached a point where there’s no need to consider starting him, regardless of the matchup. He has a tough game against Minnesota this week and should remain on the waiver wire in most league formats.
Week 6 vs. Chicago Bears
Joe Flacco is 3-2 as a starter this season, but he hasn’t looked good in the process. He had only 222 yards and 0 touchdowns last week against the Raiders, and is now averaging only 164.6 yards per game. Regardless of matchup, Flacco doesn’t seem to be a viable fantasy option in any given week, and he should remain on waivers in all league formats.
Week 5 at Oakland Raiders
Joe Flacco has been awful this year. He’s thrown 6 interceptions compared to only 4 touchdowns and is averaging only 150.25 passing yards per game. The Raiders have been average against the pass this year, allowing 6 touchdown passes and 228 passing yards per game, but the matchup really doesn’t matter with Flacco. Until he shows he can move this offense, he should remain on waivers.
Week 4 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Joe Flacco was horrible against the Jaguars in London last week. He completed only 8 of his 18 pass attempts for a miserable 28 yards and 2 interceptions. He was benched late as the Ravens were dominated in every aspect of the game.
Flacco faces a Steelers defense that has been stout against the pass so far this season but that has also faced sub-par QB play. Flacco has averaged a touchdown and a pick against the Steelers the past couple of years though, and with how bad he looked on Sunday, there’s no reason to start him.
Week 3 at Jacksonville Jaguars (game in London)
Joe Flacco had 217 yards, 2 touchdowns, and a pick against the Browns last week in a game the Ravens controlled. Flacco looks more in sync with his teammates than he did a year ago, which is good for those hoping Flacco can be a spot-starter or QB2 option.
This week, Flacco faces a Jaguars defense that handled the dismal Houston offense well in Week 1, but struggled heavily against the Titans last Sunday. Tennessee put up 37 points in a lopsided victory. Flacco should once again be solid, but not outstanding. He’ll miss his star guard Marshal Yanda, who is out for the season, but he remains a solid QB2 option.
Week 2 vs. Cleveland Browns
In a shutout victory over the Bengals last week, Joe Flacco put up 121 yards, a touchdown, and a pick, on only 17 pass attempts. The Ravens ran the ball 42 times in the game, and the Baltimore coaching staff probably hopes for more games with that kind of run-pass ratio this season.
This week, Flacco has some upside against the Browns, who were dead last in passing touchdowns allowed last season with 36. Flacco also put up five touchdowns in his two matchups with Cleveland last year—although he did throw two picks in each game. Still, the Ravens are likely to pound the rock, and Flacco’s career of fantasy inconsistency makes him no better than a QB2 option in most leagues.
Week 1 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
After missing the preseason with a back injury, Joe Flacco seems to be ready to go for his Week 1 matchup against the Bengals. Cincinnati was above average against the pass last year, ranking just outside the top ten in passing yards and touchdowns allowed. Flacco only threw one touchdown and two picks against the Bengals in two combined games against them last season.
Flacco has never been a steady fantasy performer, and unless you’re desperate this week as an Andrew Luck owner, or you’re in a deep 2QB league, there’s no reason to count on him this week. Coming off an injury and without an excellent matchup, Flacco is too risky to trust your opening week to.
Fantasy Upside
Joe Flacco posted career-highs in completions, attempts, completion percentage, and yards last season in his first year with Marty Mornhinweg as offensive coordinator. The Ravens should continue to throw the ball under Mornhinweg, and Flacco should benefit from the additions of Jeremy Maclin at wide receiver and the versatile Danny Woodhead in the backfield. The Ravens’ offensive line is a work in progress, but second-year starter Ronnie Stanley should be an anchor at left tackle, and Flacco shouldn’t have a hard time staying upright.
Fantasy Downside
Flacco has never been particularly consistent. His 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions a year ago placed him 20th in the NFL in fantasy points among quarterbacks. While Stanley and guard Marshall Yanda are entrenched up front, the Ravens will have competition at center and at right tackle, which may affect the stability of his protection. Furthermore, the running game in Baltimore is a question mark. While Woodhead will help in the passing game, defenses won’t be loading the box or biting on play-action with Terrance West in the backfield. Flacco also suffered a back injury that may hobble him during the first couple games of the season.
2017 Bottom Line
Now entering his 10th season in the league, Flacco doesn’t hold a lot of surprises for fantasy owners. While his supporting cast is stronger than it’s been in recent years, there’s no reason to think he’ll suddenly catapult into QB1 status after so long in the league. Flacco will get some deep touchdowns that will help in quick-strike leagues, but overall, he’ll remain a middle-tier QB2 and should be drafted late or remain on waivers as a streaming option in most leagues.
