79 Rated QB in AFC Championship

by pastapadre
Posted January 12th, 2009 at 4:51 pm

flacco1

As the Ravens closed out their victory over the Titans on Saturday it struck me what Joe Flacco had just accomplished. He’s the first rookie QB to win two playoff games. Not only that, but he did so while carrying a rating of 79 in Madden 09.

Every week when the roster update details are posted his is a name most frequently cited in the comments as having been overlooked. While Matt Ryan has risen to an 89, Flacco has continued to hold a sub-80 rating and it is hard to understand why.

Obviously Flacco isn’t winning the games for his team, but he has done what he has needed to do. He has a great deal of poise and leadership just as Ryan does, and he throws one of the best deep balls in the league.

For some perspective on how unjustifiable his 79 is take note of some QBs that are currently rated higher than him. Those names include Jon Kitna, Vince Young, Todd Collins, Billy Volek, and Chris Redman.

It will be difficult for EA to avoid moving Flacco up to around an 85 in the next update. This is a good example of the problem we’ve seen through the weekly Madden roster updates this year and I’m planning an article on that subject in the near future.

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slugz

they act like he only has 900 yards on the seson or something he has about 300 yards lees than big ben so what now
slugz

they act like he only has 900 yards on the seson or something he has about 300 yards lees than big ben so what now
AmenRa

Joe Flacco is trash. not throwing interceptions when your team is winning does not make you a good quarterback.. This dude had like 14 TYD and 13 INt on the season and he was passing at 44.1% in the playoffs last I checked and you are trying to tell me he deserves an 85. LOL, Pastpadre dude, I never went off base with you about putting wack ass NBA Live ahead of NBA2k9 but you could not be more wrong about this post.

SteelCurtain

Another good post! Couldn't have said it any better bro!
KRIS

i agree that guy shouldnt be past an 82 hes average at best.

AmenRa

Joe Flacco is trash. not throwing interceptions when your team is winning does not make you a good quarterback.. This dude had like 14 TYD and 13 INt on the season and he was passing at 44.1% in the playoffs last I checked and you are trying to tell me he deserves an 85. LOL, Pastpadre dude, I never went off base with you about putting wack ass NBA Live ahead of NBA2k9 but you could not be more wrong about this post.

SteelCurtain

Another good post! Couldn't have said it any better bro!
KRIS

i agree that guy shouldnt be past an 82 hes average at best.

twan

I dont care about his madden rating ill bust him up personally myself if he does me a big favor and beat the steelers for me sunday…..I hate the steelers I dont see how they keep winning there nothing but a name ravens d i know is bout to hurt them boys just need flacco to throw a couple of td's for me plz
twan

I dont care about his madden rating ill bust him up personally myself if he does me a big favor and beat the steelers for me sunday…..I hate the steelers I dont see how they keep winning there nothing but a name ravens d i know is bout to hurt them boys just need flacco to throw a couple of td's for me plz
twan

steelers….

why the hate where is carson palmer in the top 10 r u serious?

KRIS

i def. forgot all about palmer he would def. take romos spot my bad

twan

steelers….

why the hate where is carson palmer in the top 10 r u serious?

KRIS

i def. forgot all about palmer he would def. take romos spot my bad

slugz

when its good number yall live off that but a passer rating be 4 real
slugz

when its good number yall live off that but a passer rating be 4 real
CoryL

Why is this news? Wasn't Grossman rated 80 or lower for the NFC Championship back when the Bears made that title run.
CoryL

Why is this news? Wasn't Grossman rated 80 or lower for the NFC Championship back when the Bears made that title run.
matt

A QB job is not to throw TD. Its to do whattever he can to win games. Baltomore is the same team they were last year. Same starters just take away Odgen the LT. and that one guy…. Mcnair! They just switched the QBs. He should be a 83.
matt

A QB job is not to throw TD. Its to do whattever he can to win games. Baltomore is the same team they were last year. Same starters just take away Odgen the LT. and that one guy…. Mcnair! They just switched the QBs. He should be a 83.
The Voice of Reason

Matt Ryan won offensive rookie of the year, thats why he is an 89. Just like Mayo got a big boost after he won DROY. Its funny, most people didn't watch the Falcons all year, so they really dont know how he played, other than SportsCenter highlights. I had season tickets to the Falcons and watched every game here in ATL, so I know how good he is. I havn't seen much of Flacco, but when I do he hands the ball off or thats it deep. havn't seen much else.

SteelCurtain

Couldn't have said it better myself Voice of Reason.

The Voice of Reason

Matt Ryan won offensive rookie of the year, thats why he is an 89. Just like Mayo got a big boost after he won DROY. Its funny, most people didn't watch the Falcons all year, so they really dont know how he played, other than SportsCenter highlights. I had season tickets to the Falcons and watched every game here in ATL, so I know how good he is. I havn't seen much of Flacco, but when I do he hands the ball off or thats it deep. havn't seen much else.

SteelCurtain

Couldn't have said it better myself Voice of Reason.

Julian

WHY do people get so hung up on a players OVERALL… its pointless. Joe Flacco's individual ratings are good (his THP is higher than Ryans)… His accuracy is just fine where it is seeing as he only completes about 50% of his passes lately. Maybe boost his awareness, but how is that going to affect someone using him online. People should be more specific about what ratings they want boosted. I personally don't think Jerious Norwood's OVR should go up, but his speed should. And if by increasing his speed, his OVR also goes up, then the system works.

slugz

we just need flacco to stop throwing arrant passes like he dont do i real life he lays the ball on the money bottom line ryan 0 playoff wins flacco 2 get over it if flacco was throwing two or three picks a game and still winning then his 79 will hold true. what i think ea should do is like an x factor weapong like on live a player rating would be bout a 70 something but when they get hot then they ratings go up for that game

Julian

You morons dont get it. I don't care if Flacco wins the super bowl, his ratings should not be the same as Matt Ryans. By your ridiculous logic, any QB who wins a super bowl is better than Dan Marino. Go hit the crack pipe again man. If Matt Ryan had the Ravens defense, his team would be going to the super bowl this year.

slugz

stop hating

Julian

WHY do people get so hung up on a players OVERALL… its pointless. Joe Flacco's individual ratings are good (his THP is higher than Ryans)… His accuracy is just fine where it is seeing as he only completes about 50% of his passes lately. Maybe boost his awareness, but how is that going to affect someone using him online. People should be more specific about what ratings they want boosted. I personally don't think Jerious Norwood's OVR should go up, but his speed should. And if by increasing his speed, his OVR also goes up, then the system works.

slugz

we just need flacco to stop throwing arrant passes like he dont do i real life he lays the ball on the money bottom line ryan 0 playoff wins flacco 2 get over it if flacco was throwing two or three picks a game and still winning then his 79 will hold true. what i think ea should do is like an x factor weapong like on live a player rating would be bout a 70 something but when they get hot then they ratings go up for that game

Julian

You morons dont get it. I don't care if Flacco wins the super bowl, his ratings should not be the same as Matt Ryans. By your ridiculous logic, any QB who wins a super bowl is better than Dan Marino. Go hit the crack pipe again man. If Matt Ryan had the Ravens defense, his team would be going to the super bowl this year.

slugz

stop hating

KON

Flacco deserves the increase. a 79 rating is bad and Flacco is not a bad quarterback. He manages games, has great poise in the pocket, a cannon for an arm, and is very accurate. most of his INT came at the beginning of the season, doesnt have a lot of weapons, has one of the youngest offensive lines in the league (also deserve increases) and he has the 3rd best QB rating when on the road. I would rate him just above Derek Anderson so an 85. People who think Flacco should have a rating among a bunch of quarterbacks who don't even start and/or got benched for being unsuccessful are nuts.
KON

Flacco deserves the increase. a 79 rating is bad and Flacco is not a bad quarterback. He manages games, has great poise in the pocket, a cannon for an arm, and is very accurate. most of his INT came at the beginning of the season, doesnt have a lot of weapons, has one of the youngest offensive lines in the league (also deserve increases) and he has the 3rd best QB rating when on the road. I would rate him just above Derek Anderson so an 85. People who think Flacco should have a rating among a bunch of quarterbacks who don't even start and/or got benched for being unsuccessful are nuts.
Mike

Madden rosters updates are a joke, Brendon Ayanbadejo is going to the pro bowl for the second in a row and is rated a 70, wait it gets better in madden he doesn't even play on special teams. they have bart scott playing of special teams and not Ayanbadejo, madden's rosters updates need a lot of work.
Mike

Madden rosters updates are a joke, Brendon Ayanbadejo is going to the pro bowl for the second in a row and is rated a 70, wait it gets better in madden he doesn't even play on special teams. they have bart scott playing of special teams and not Ayanbadejo, madden's rosters updates need a lot of work.
Mr. EA Sports

If anyone wants a piece of me in Madden so that I can actually show you that ratings doesn't matter as much as skill my PS3 account is (Mr_E-A_Sports). you got it. Now for the guys who will have trouble with this it's Mr underscore E hyphen A underscore Sports. You know where to reach me so prepare for the Lions backups to beat your Philly & Bal starters. COME ONE COME ALL!

slugz

goes to show you madden needs help
NFL2K10 ANYONE?

Mr. EA Sports

If anyone wants a piece of me in Madden so that I can actually show you that ratings doesn't matter as much as skill my PS3 account is (Mr_E-A_Sports). you got it. Now for the guys who will have trouble with this it's Mr underscore E hyphen A underscore Sports. You know where to reach me so prepare for the Lions backups to beat your Philly & Bal starters. COME ONE COME ALL!

slugz

goes to show you madden needs help
NFL2K10 ANYONE?

da bears matt

hail to the yes! joe flaco should be an 88 and grossman 77 instead of 74…….o and did vasher get bumbed down to?on the last update or idi he stay at 91 ?
da bears matt

hail to the yes! joe flaco should be an 88 and grossman 77 instead of 74…….o and did vasher get bumbed down to?on the last update or idi he stay at 91 ?
saints fan.

Flacco doesnt deserve an 85. just look at this stats on saturday he isn't near superstar and not barely close to above average QB he's a just managing the club and not making mistakes EA always rates rookies low.

Chef91

Rex Grossman brought the Bears to the SB in the same way Flacco did and his rating never went over 82 if I remember. I think 82-83 is a good number for him. His accuracy shouldn't go up much but his awareness and mobility rating should.

Wakka Wakka

Flacco is better than Rex grossman was. He should be at least an 84

saints fan.

Flacco doesnt deserve an 85. just look at this stats on saturday he isn't near superstar and not barely close to above average QB he's a just managing the club and not making mistakes EA always rates rookies low.

Chef91

Rex Grossman brought the Bears to the SB in the same way Flacco did and his rating never went over 82 if I remember. I think 82-83 is a good number for him. His accuracy shouldn't go up much but his awareness and mobility rating should.

Wakka Wakka

Flacco is better than Rex grossman was. He should be at least an 84

madden

I dont think Flacco deserves a huge boost for the Ravens being where they are. They are winning with a solid running game and a great defense. All he has to do is manage the game and try not to turn the ball over….

Mr. EA Sports

1st off you're not Madden if you were you would give Flacco a 98 because to him everybody is a star. 2nd Flacco doesn't even manage the game all he does is line up on the field so that the offense can have the require 11 people out there. When he throws a pass give me a call

slugz

flacco won us a lot of games this year ryan is the one who benefited from a run game when the cards stopped the run ryan could not do shit but we had 50 rushing yards so the run wasnt there so flacco stepped up so hop off

madden

I dont think Flacco deserves a huge boost for the Ravens being where they are. They are winning with a solid running game and a great defense. All he has to do is manage the game and try not to turn the ball over….

Mr. EA Sports

1st off you're not Madden if you were you would give Flacco a 98 because to him everybody is a star. 2nd Flacco doesn't even manage the game all he does is line up on the field so that the offense can have the require 11 people out there. When he throws a pass give me a call

slugz

flacco won us a lot of games this year ryan is the one who benefited from a run game when the cards stopped the run ryan could not do shit but we had 50 rushing yards so the run wasnt there so flacco stepped up so hop off

Big EZ

Ravens don't win because of Joe Flacco. They win games because of their defense and run game. Flacco has gone 20/45 in the playoffs with about 145 YPG and 1 TD pass.

Mr. EA Sports

FINALLY SOMEONE WHO GETS IT! FLACCO DOESN'T THROW THE DAG GONE BALL! CAN'T YOU SEE PEOPLE!

Big EZ

Ravens don't win because of Joe Flacco. They win games because of their defense and run game. Flacco has gone 20/45 in the playoffs with about 145 YPG and 1 TD pass.

Mr. EA Sports

FINALLY SOMEONE WHO GETS IT! FLACCO DOESN'T THROW THE DAG GONE BALL! CAN'T YOU SEE PEOPLE!

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Thats basically what an 85 rated QB represents right now if you look at how the others are rated out.

EA Sports

Pasta how do you normally play madden? If anybody plays like I do then they know that you can win with anyone. Just because a player is playing above his head doesn' t nessesitate a ratings increase. He is overachieving so if you play with him or that team you should overachieve as well. I could beat any of yall with the Detroit Lions backups because I got game. ANY CHALLENGERS? I thought not.
Mr. EA Sports

Pasta who do you think are the best 10 QB's in the NFL? I have in order {if healthy} 1) Brady 2) P.Manning 3) Romo 4) Big Ben 5) P.Rivers 6) D. Brees 7) J. Cutler K. Warner 9) Cassel 10) C. Pennignton

slugz

brees is a clear cut no.3 qb
SmartA$$

Eli Manning is better than Matt Cassel 1-Pmanning,2-Brady,3-brees, 4A- warner 4B romo 5- rivers 6-rothlis 7- pennington 8 – Cutler 9- Emanning 10A- Thigpen. 10B -Ryan Next in Brady Quinn, yes potential, Joe Cool Flacco Overrated Matt Cassel
patrick oak

where is last year super bowl champ eli manning at!!! you mean to tell me matt cassel is better than eli manning????? is cassel even better than matt ryan????

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Thats basically what an 85 rated QB represents right now if you look at how the others are rated out.

EA Sports

Pasta how do you normally play madden? If anybody plays like I do then they know that you can win with anyone. Just because a player is playing above his head doesn' t nessesitate a ratings increase. He is overachieving so if you play with him or that team you should overachieve as well. I could beat any of yall with the Detroit Lions backups because I got game. ANY CHALLENGERS? I thought not.
Mr. EA Sports

Pasta who do you think are the best 10 QB's in the NFL? I have in order {if healthy} 1) Brady 2) P.Manning 3) Romo 4) Big Ben 5) P.Rivers 6) D. Brees 7) J. Cutler K. Warner 9) Cassel 10) C. Pennignton

slugz

brees is a clear cut no.3 qb
SmartA$$

Eli Manning is better than Matt Cassel 1-Pmanning,2-Brady,3-brees, 4A- warner 4B romo 5- rivers 6-rothlis 7- pennington 8 – Cutler 9- Emanning 10A- Thigpen. 10B -Ryan Next in Brady Quinn, yes potential, Joe Cool Flacco Overrated Matt Cassel
patrick oak

where is last year super bowl champ eli manning at!!! you mean to tell me matt cassel is better than eli manning????? is cassel even better than matt ryan????

Big EZ

And why you gotta hate on my man Billy Volek? He came in during the Chargers stretch run last year when Rivers initially tore his ACL and won them a game.
Big EZ

And why you gotta hate on my man Billy Volek? He came in during the Chargers stretch run last year when Rivers initially tore his ACL and won them a game.
tree3five

Flacco needs no boosting IMO. Hes playing just well enough for them to win some games, nothing spectacular. The defense is why they are winning. Just like Big Ben's rookie year, he wasnt anything great back then, but he went undefeated, why? Because Pittsburgh's great defense and running game. Flacco just hasnt messed up bad enough yet. He will though.

Cmac

yea and Big Ben was def not rated a 79 because a 79 ovr is shitty. Having a great defense and good run game is not an excuse for giving flacco a bad rating. He helps wins games, makes great throws when his number is called, and could probably use some help offensively.

tree3five

Flacco needs no boosting IMO. Hes playing just well enough for them to win some games, nothing spectacular. The defense is why they are winning. Just like Big Ben's rookie year, he wasnt anything great back then, but he went undefeated, why? Because Pittsburgh's great defense and running game. Flacco just hasnt messed up bad enough yet. He will though.

Cmac

yea and Big Ben was def not rated a 79 because a 79 ovr is shitty. Having a great defense and good run game is not an excuse for giving flacco a bad rating. He helps wins games, makes great throws when his number is called, and could probably use some help offensively.

DLane

I think that Pasta's whole point is that Joe Flacco is a perfect example of EA not paying any attention to what is going on in the football world. The point that I think he is making is that Flacco is better then Kitna, Vince, and those others this year. I mean it's obvious that the ratings are not updated based on performance. So I think that Flacco is more then deserving of at the least 82 just based on bringing his team to the AFC championship game. I know that Baltimore is power run and tough defense, but still QB is the most important person on the field and the fact that he as a rookie has led this team to 1 win away from a Super Bowl birth, should earn him a decent ranking upgrade in the next roster update.

Julian

I agree EA does a crappy job giving out the most accurate stats, but Flacco is a case that doesn't merit this article. How about an article on why Curtis Lofton has not gotten an update all season and Jerod Mayo is almost in the 90s now.
Julian

How can we say he is better than this QB and that QB? Who knows how Vince Young would have done playing for the Ravens this season. The point is, if you swapped Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco, the Ravens might have gotten home field advantage this season, and the Falcons would not have a winning record.

MR RAVEN

Well we can say he is better than vince young because vince young had the chance to lead a championship team to the playoffs but he folded instead… Hence Collins is the QB now. Conversely, Flacco steadily got better with every game and became leader of the Ravens offense. As far as what would happen if Ryan was quarterback for the Ravens… The Ravens would probably still play conservative offensively and control the games with clock management and great defense… Like they have done for the entire franchise history. Whenever the ravens have opened up the playbook, Flacco has done really great but it is not the Franchise style of play. However, I agree Curtis Lofton has needed an update all year just as Flacco has needed one long before now. A lot of people look at just Flaccos playoff performance and think they can evaluate his abilities but people should look at his other games too

DLane

I think that Pasta's whole point is that Joe Flacco is a perfect example of EA not paying any attention to what is going on in the football world. The point that I think he is making is that Flacco is better then Kitna, Vince, and those others this year. I mean it's obvious that the ratings are not updated based on performance. So I think that Flacco is more then deserving of at the least 82 just based on bringing his team to the AFC championship game. I know that Baltimore is power run and tough defense, but still QB is the most important person on the field and the fact that he as a rookie has led this team to 1 win away from a Super Bowl birth, should earn him a decent ranking upgrade in the next roster update.

Julian

I agree EA does a crappy job giving out the most accurate stats, but Flacco is a case that doesn't merit this article. How about an article on why Curtis Lofton has not gotten an update all season and Jerod Mayo is almost in the 90s now.
Julian

How can we say he is better than this QB and that QB? Who knows how Vince Young would have done playing for the Ravens this season. The point is, if you swapped Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco, the Ravens might have gotten home field advantage this season, and the Falcons would not have a winning record.

MR RAVEN

Well we can say he is better than vince young because vince young had the chance to lead a championship team to the playoffs but he folded instead… Hence Collins is the QB now. Conversely, Flacco steadily got better with every game and became leader of the Ravens offense. As far as what would happen if Ryan was quarterback for the Ravens… The Ravens would probably still play conservative offensively and control the games with clock management and great defense… Like they have done for the entire franchise history. Whenever the ravens have opened up the playbook, Flacco has done really great but it is not the Franchise style of play. However, I agree Curtis Lofton has needed an update all year just as Flacco has needed one long before now. A lot of people look at just Flaccos playoff performance and think they can evaluate his abilities but people should look at his other games too

SteelCurtain

Flacco the only rookie QB to ever win two post season games. Let me clear this up and remind a few people something… Tommy Maddox got hurt week one a few years ago and we lost the game. ROOKIE QB Ben Roethlisberger led his team to 15 STRAIGHT wins into the AFC Championship only to lose to the Patriots. I'm guessing all you guys forgot about the Patriots and their whole spygate situation. That very same AFC Championship was one of the revealed games cheated in.

When you say "only rookie qb"…there should be a very large * next to that. Only? 15 STRAIGHT? Plus a playoff win..and you mean to tell me oh yeah he'd lose anyway? They barely won that game…

Long story short, there would be TWO in NFL history.

Coming_of_Tan

Big Ben still lost, the past is past. The Flacco is now. Any way you cut it the Ravens have overachieved and it has been a fun ride.

SteelCurtain

Flacco the only rookie QB to ever win two post season games. Let me clear this up and remind a few people something… Tommy Maddox got hurt week one a few years ago and we lost the game. ROOKIE QB Ben Roethlisberger led his team to 15 STRAIGHT wins into the AFC Championship only to lose to the Patriots. I'm guessing all you guys forgot about the Patriots and their whole spygate situation. That very same AFC Championship was one of the revealed games cheated in.

When you say "only rookie qb"…there should be a very large * next to that. Only? 15 STRAIGHT? Plus a playoff win..and you mean to tell me oh yeah he'd lose anyway? They barely won that game…

Long story short, there would be TWO in NFL history.

Coming_of_Tan

Big Ben still lost, the past is past. The Flacco is now. Any way you cut it the Ravens have overachieved and it has been a fun ride.

Anthony

Hopefully the last 2 updates reflect on the remaining teams
Anthony

Hopefully the last 2 updates reflect on the remaining teams
Ron Dayne

Future hall of famer? Please, Romo is the biggest choke artiest in the league. Lets see, choked against the seahawks in the playoffs years back. Choked at home against the giants last year in the playoffs. Choked this year in Pittsburgh. Choked at home against the Ravens. The dude is a grade A chump. Look at the film, he sucks, you are wrong.
Ron Dayne

Future hall of famer? Please, Romo is the biggest choke artiest in the league. Lets see, choked against the seahawks in the playoffs years back. Choked at home against the giants last year in the playoffs. Choked this year in Pittsburgh. Choked at home against the Ravens. The dude is a grade A chump. Look at the film, he sucks, you are wrong.
Ravenboi410

Flacco is just surrounded by great talent….deserves to be an 84 at most
Ravenboi410

Flacco is just surrounded by great talent….deserves to be an 84 at most
Patrick Oak

Hello People! Flacco did pass for almost 3,000 yards this and had 14 td's and had an 80 rating as a rookie!!! you all say that he is benefit from a good running game but any good qb needs a good running game or the defense will load up on the pass!!!! He is a rookie and can get better! I think an 80-85 rating would do him justice!
Patrick Oak

Hello People! Flacco did pass for almost 3,000 yards this and had 14 td's and had an 80 rating as a rookie!!! you all say that he is benefit from a good running game but any good qb needs a good running game or the defense will load up on the pass!!!! He is a rookie and can get better! I think an 80-85 rating would do him justice!