The Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons will kick off the NFL Network Thursday Night Football schedule in Atlanta. It's a battle of two of the best teams in the NFL and also includes a pair of first round picks leading them. QB Joe Flacco was selected 18th overall in the 2008 draft while Matt Ryan was third in that same draft.
Thursday Night Football, Ravens Vs. Falcons: Joe Flacco Or Matt Ryan?
SB Nation’s Balimore Beatdown asks a good question: Would you rather have Flacco or Ryan? Considering the name of the blog, you can guess which one they’re taking.
The biggest difference in comparing the two QB's was the five playoff games and three road wins that the Ravens' Joe Flacco has in his resume versus the one lone playoff loss that the Falcons' Matt Ryan has had. Without stating that this makes Flacco the better quarterback, it does hint that he has had a better group of players around him. The defense has always kept the Ravens in the game and allowed Flacco to manage the game without putting the pressure on the QB to carry the team on his arm. Ryan has not had that type of supporting cast, but the Falcons defense has improved this season to his benefit.
There’s no doubt Flacco has been in, and won, bigger games than Ryan. But which one would I take right now? Here’s how they’re doing this year:
Flacco: 60.8 percent, 1,917 yards, 12 TDs, 6 INTs
Ryan: 62.5 percent, 1,949 yards, 13 TDs, 5 INTs
It’s hard to pick between one but I think right now, with Flacco’s resume, you’d have to side with him. Judging by Atlanta’s 5-2 start, Ryan may be playing in some big games soon enough.
Check out Baltimore Beatdown for more coverage leading up to the game.
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