Week 17 vs. Cincinnati
Joe Flacco had only 262 yards, a touchdown and a pick against the Steelers last week as the Ravens fell out of the playoff race. Baltimore had a rocky, up-and-down season, and Flacco still hasn’t developed into a consistent fantasy option, despite throwing for over 4,000 yard s for the first time in his career.
This week, Flacco will face an above average Cincinnati pass defense. While it’s always possible he could put up numbers for you, and he’s at least in little danger of getting benched during the game, there should be better options available to you on waivers.
Week 16 vs. Pittsburgh
Joe Flacco had two touchdowns and a pick to go with 206 yards in a narrow victory over the Eagles last week. Flacco continues to be an unreliable fantasy option. While he has the Ravens in playoff contention, his fantasy numbers have been largely underwhelming throughout most of the season.
This week, he’ll face a Steeler defense that is tied for sixth in the league in passing touchdowns allowed, and these Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh games tend to be pretty ugly, making it unlikely that Flacco puts up good numbers. Fantasy owners should look elsewhere for a streaming option this week.
Week 15 vs. Philadelphia
Joe Flacco had 324 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Patriots on Monday night. He now has two consecutive 300+ yard games after having only two all season leading up to Week 13. Flacco has been underwhelming this season, but he’s someone you can plug into your lineup in most weeks and expect at least a couple hundred yards and a touchdown or two.
This week, Flacco faces a very average Philadelphia pass defense that ranks 13th in passing yards allowed but has been susceptible to big plays this year, giving up 7.7 yards per pass attempt this year, 28th in the league. Flacco has a strong arm and some speedy targets to throw to, giving him some upside. He’s too risky to count on in most leagues, but as a low-end streaming option in larger leagues or in 2QB formats, he’s worth considering.
Week 14 vs. New England
Joe Flacco had a huge game against the Dolphins last week, putting up 381 yards and four touchdowns to only one interception as the Ravens mopped the floor with the Dolphin defense. Baltimore is trying to stay in front in the AFC North division, and they’ll need Flacco to be productive in order to ensure a post-season berth.
This week, Flacco may struggle against a Patriot defense that ranks in the top-15 in passing yards and touchdowns allowed. While Flacco has had some success against New England in the past, it’s hard to bank on a guy that has been unreliable as a fantasy option this year, despite a nice outing a week ago. He should be considered a low-end QB2 at best and is probably better off on waivers.
Week 13 vs. Miami
Joe Flacco had only 234 yards, a touchdown and a pick against the Bengals last week despite facing a vulnerable pass defense. Flacco has the Ravens jockeying for a playoff spot, but that hasn’t translated into fantasy success as he ranks 13th in passing yards and a woeful tied for 23rd in passing touchdowns this season.
This week, Flacco faces a Dolphins defense that has looked better over the second half of the season but gave up three touchdowns to Colin Kaepernick last week. Miami’s season numbers are average to above-average across the board in pass defense, but Flacco wouldn’t be a very good option even if the matchup were better. Unless you’re in a 2QB league, Flacco should probably stay on waivers this week.
Week 12 vs. Cincinnati
Joe Flacco had 269 yards and a touchdown against the Cowboys last week, not great numbers, but no turnovers. Flacco has not been a very steady fantasy producer this season, and while he’s always been inconsistent, he’s not even had the occasional big game in 2016.
This week, Flacco will face a Bengals pass defense that has allowed 19 touchdown passes this season, but it’s hard to trust him regardless of the matchup. In large 2QB leagues, he has some upside, but in most cases, owners should look elsewhere for QB help.
Week 11 vs. Dallas
Joe Flacco had a decent game against the Browns last week, with three touchdown passes and 296 yards. However, he also threw a pair of interceptions, and is now on pace for 16 picks this season, which would be the second-most in his career. Flacco and the Ravens offense has looked out of synch all year, and it’s hard to imagine him turning the corner at this point.
This week, Flacco faces a slightly below average Dallas pass defense. The Cowboys gave up over 400 yards to Ben Roethlisberger last week, but they dominated the game on the ground as they’ve done all season, which tends to lead to lower fantasy numbers at the QB position. Expect a grind-it-out performance from both teams, with limited fantasy value for Flacco outside of 2-QB leagues.
Week 10 vs. Cleveland
Despite having the Ravens at 4-4 and in the thick of the AFC North race, Joe Flacco is not having a great season statistically. He’s only thrown more than one touchdown once this season, and has eclipsed 300 yards only twice. Flacco and the Ravens offense have been inconsistent at best, and if not for Mike Wallace taking a slant route 95 yards for a touchdown against the Steelers last week, Flacco would’ve been held to under 200 yards and a pick.
This week, things might get a bit better, however. Only the Falcons have allowed more touchdown passes than the Browns this year, and Flacco’s one multiple touchdown game this season came against Cleveland in Week 2. Flacco is far from a sure thing and is a risky start, but if you have bye week or injury/matchup issues, he’s not a bad streaming option for Thursday night.
Week 9 vs. Pittsburgh
Joe Flacco has guided the Ravens to four straight losses, all against teams that should have been good matchups for him. In that span, he’s thrown a total of only two touchdown passes, and none over the past two games against the Giants and the Jets. Flacco’s inability to take advantage of good matchups and the fact that he’s only had one decent fantasy game this year – Week 2 against the Browns – make it hard to like him, even as a streaming option.
This week, Flacco faces the Steelers, who are allowing the seventh most passing yards per game this year. Still, it’s hard to trust him to deliver and fantasy owners should view him as a low-end QB2 option at best every week until he shows he can start to produce more.
Week 7 vs. New York Jets
Joe Flacco had 307 yards against the Giants last week. He hasn’t done a very good job of taking advantage of some nice matchups the past few weeks, with only two touchdowns passes in the past four games, despite facing the Jaguars, Raiders, Washington, and the Giants. Flacco hasn’t turned the ball over the past three weeks either, but he’s not putting up the kind of streaming numbers one would hope for.
This week, he has what looks like a nice matchup against the Jets, but it’s hard to trust him after recent outings to put up legit fantasy numbers. He’s not a bad desperation play or QB2 type of option, but most fantasy owners should look elsewhere if possible until we see Flacco demonstrate the ability to take advantage of these types of games.
