NFL teams treat the 3rd preseason game as a dress rehearsal for the real stuff.  And if Baltimore's offensive attack on Thursday night is indicative of their plans for the regular season, QB Joe Flacco will be one happy man.  He's been pining for a more up-tempo, pass-heavy attack for a couple years.  That's exactly what the Ravens ran against the Jaguars on Thursday.  In just over 1 half of action, Flacco attempted 36 passes and handed it off only 9 times.  The result was 266 passing yards and 2 TDs -- and 20 points total points.  It looks like Baltimore is serious about altering their offensive identity this season.  We don't expect the run-to-pass ratio to be as tilted as it was Thursday night, but it's clear that Flacco will have the ball in the air more often.  It's excellent news for his fantasy value.  We just bumped Flacco up our rankings.  WR Torrey Smith is also climbing.  He was the clear-cut top option in the passing game Thursday night, hauling in 8 of 11 targets for 103 yards.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco has been pushing to deploy a more up-tempo, no-huddle attack for the past couple seasons.  He may finally get his wish.  HC John Harbaugh says the no-huddle will be "a big part of what we do" this season.  Baltimore went almost exclusively with the no-huddle in their first preseason game. Flacco went 9 of 12 for 88 yards and 1 TD in 4 series.  The look would certainly be a boon to Flacco's fantasy value, although we still think the Ravens are built to win running the ball and playing defense.  And that's why we consider Flacco just a fantasy backup.  He's a talented guy though.  So if Baltimore lets him chuck it more -- and if their WRs step up -- Flacco could bust into the top-12.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco's numbers regressed in 2011.  His 57.6% completion rate and 6.7 yards-per-attempt average were the lowest marks of his career.  His 20 TDs were his fewest since his rookie campaign back in 2008.  But he played his best game of the season in Baltimore's AFC Championship loss to the Patriots on Sunday.  Flacco tallied 306 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT.  And he put the ball in WR Lee Evans' bread basket for what would have been a game-winning TD had CB Sterling Moore not knocked it out.  HC John Harbaugh endorsed Flacco as the team's QB-of-the-future after the game.  "Obviously, he played well enough to win this game. I think his best football is in front of him," Harbaugh said. "He's only getting better. He's our kind of guy. He's a tough guy, a competitive guy. He's a leader, and I just can't wait to see where this thing goes with him. The plays that he made down the stretch, I think it says a lot about him and his future."  Flacco's rookie deal is set to expire after the 2012 season.  But after his performance against New England, there's a good chance Baltimore locks him up long-term this offseason.

Ravens WR Anquan Boldin will undergo knee surgery today to repair a minor tear in his meniscus.  He's done for the regular season, but Baltimore believes he'll be back for the playoffs.  In the meantime, Torrey Smith will take over as the team's #1 WR, with WR Lee Evans moving into the starting lineup as the #2.  The Ravens will continue to go extremely run-heavy, though, so neither guy is a strong fantasy play.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco isn't happy about the organization's decision to cut ties with QB coach Jim Zorn.  "I'm not happy about it and they know I'm not happy. I don't think it was a good decision," Flacco said. "I feel a little bit like I'm being attacked. Usually when you fire a position coach it's because you're not happy with how that position did. I guess [OC Cam Cameron] is going to take on more of a role in the quarterback room, he's going to have his influence."  Flacco isn't really an outspoken individual, so this is obviously a pretty big issue for hom.  It's something to monitor this offseason.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco has been putting in extra work with new WRs Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth this offseason. The three have reportedly been tossing the ball around at team headquarters since the middle of March. “I feel comfortable throwing them the ball,” Flacco said. “Now, we've got to make sure we get on the same page with what they're actually going to do on a route. They have to understand exactly what we're looking for.” With the additions of Boldin and Stallworth – and also rookie TEs Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta – this Ravens passing game has some serious upside.

Baltimore QB Joe Flacco is denying the rumors that injuries are the cause of his recent poor performances on the field. He does have a sprained ankle, a bruised hip and a sore shoulder, but he refuses to use them as an excuse. "I’ve got bruises and stuff like that, but it’s not affecting me out on the field. I didn’t feel anything out on Monday night," Flacco stated when asked about his injuries by reporters. Despite what he says, it does appear like his mobility has been somewhat affected by the injuries.

Rain is expected for the start of the Broncos-Ravens game today.  The forecast calls for clearing skies for the 2nd half, though, and wind won't be a factor.  It's not enough to take any players from this game out of your starting lineup.

Baltimore Ravens HC Jim Harbaugh told reporters on Monday that he is not concerned about QB Joe Flacco's "tweaked" ankle. Flacco rolled his right ankle when his foot was stepped on in week 6, when the Ravens were facing the Minnesota Vikings. After having the bye week to rest the ankle up, Flacco is now ready to go for Sunday's game against Denver.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco threw for a career-high 297 yards in the 27-7 win over Jacksonville, securing the #6 AFC seed. Flacco finishes his remarkable rookie year with 2,971 pass yards, 180 rush yards, and 43 receiving yards - for 3,194 total yards.  He threw 14 TD passes and ran for 2 scores. The ex-Delaware star threw 11 of his 14 TDs in the last 8 games. Flacco and Matt Ryan are only the 4th and 5th rookie QBs in NFL history to start all 16 games, joining Rick Mirer (Seattle), Peyton Manning (Indianapolis) and David Carr (Houston). Flacco and Ryan are the only QBs in that 16-game club to post winning records too. Baltimore is at Miami in the wild-card round this Sunday at 1 ET.

Bengals SS Chinedum Ndukwe (foot) and CB Johnathan Joseph (foot) are out Sunday vs. Baltimore. DEs Robert Geathers (knee) and Frostee Rucker (hamstring) just went on injured reserve, plus DE Antwan Odom (shoulder) is a game-time decision. Ravens QB Joe Flacco merits fantasy consideration in deeper leagues this week. It's just too bad the Ravens don't have a lock-and-load tailback we could endorse. Willis McGahee, Ray Rice, and Le'Ron McClain each have at least 120 total touches this year.

Bengals DE Robert Geathers (knee) and Frostee Rucker (hamstring) just went on injured reserve, DE Antwan Odom (shoulder) was inactive last week. That's 3 down out of their 4-man rotation at end. The Ravens and Joe Flacco should have little resistance this Sunday. Next week the Colts play the Bengals.

Ravens RG Marshal Yanda suffered a season-ending knee injury in week 6. RT Adam Terry is out this Sunday at Miami with a knee injury. The Dolphins are a sleeper play if you're not satisfied with your current matchup.

Ravens QB Troy Smith has battled tonsilitis and had to be re-hospitalized for an infection. Kyle Boller has a possible season-ending shoulder problem. Joe Flacco is likely to start for the Ravens in Week 1. They'll also sign a veteran within the next week.

The Ravens signed rookie QB Joe Flacco to a 5-year deal worth up to $30 million. It contains $8.75m guaranteed.  They went through a lot to draft him 18th overall -- first trading down from No. 8 overall and acquiring Jacksonville's No. 26 pick and two 3rd-rounders. They then traded up, giving Houston a 3rd- and 6th-round pick to take Flacco.  Many thought the Ravens were moving from No. 26 to No. 18 to get either OT Sam Baker (USC) or OT Jeff Otah (Pitt). Right now Flacco is behind Troy Smith and Kyle Boller on the depth chart but that could change quickly.