Up for Debate: Has Luck Passed Flacco?

Seems like a valid question. Sure Luck is still a newborn baby in this league (his beard is deceiving) compared to Flacco (who thank the Gods hasn't tried to grow that handle bar 'stache back) but without either player their teams would be in for a world of hurt. However when it comes to national attention Luck seems to get a whole lot more support for MVP talks. Yes I know it is early but these are the same people who make Super Bowl picks before training camp.

Luck is merely entering his third year in the league. Flacco, his seventh. When comparing their first two seasons Luck is superior to Flacco. Except for that whole, winning in the playoffs thing. Was Flacco the reason we won during his rookie campaign? No way! Our defense carried us all the way to AFC Championship game. Although thanks to research I get to remember 2008 as the year we got swept by the Steelers. Excuse me while I sarcastically shout "Yay!" Was Flacco the reason Luck lost in the playoffs? Sprinkle in two TDs, a 125.6 passer rating and our defense trying to help Ray Lew 52 ride off into the sunset in style. You bet your sweet crabcake he was! Anyway, Luck has better numbers across the board in the regular season. Luck has had 23 TDs in each of his last two seasons. While Flacco had a mere 14 in his rookie season and followed that up with 21 the following year. However this was when the Steelers defense was still elite/young/gave a crap (unlike now as it seems) while Luck faced cupcakes like the Jags and Titans twice. So while some might say "numbers don't lie" others might retort with,"competition does."

As far as their opponents go this season Flacco has faced better defensive squads than Luck. Unless you consider the Jags or Titans and their "not too shabby" tagline as elite. If that is the case, have another and don't drink and drive. Luck has passed for nearly 800 yards in the past two weeks against those goons. Flacco hasn't looked too bad in the past few weeks himself. This after both had rough outings against tough opponents in week one. Both accounted for a lot of yardage but we all know of Flacco's time management issues against Cincy as well as Luck's ability to start a game/season flat against Denver. Both are dealing with separate issues in their respective offenses. Whether its Trent Richardson being a waste of time/carries or Dennis Pitta's hip injury, both are significant to what their teams can do in the passing game. Overall I would say on numbers alone Luck would take the title in this one. I would argue with any and every Colts fan that their division is garbage. Let me see how Luck does against a formidable Bengal defense. The biggest effect on the two has got to be the personnel on offense.

This season's shining star has been the offensive line's performance in Baltimore. Flacco has only been sacked three times in four games (second in the league to Andy Dalton) and it has helped the run game improve to seventh in the league. This with our third and fourth options at the position! Steve Smith Sr. has been doing laps in the fountain of youth as he is off to the greatest start of his career. He has the potential to not only set career bests but to break NFL records for a receiver 35 or older. We all thought he would boost the offense, we had no idea how much. While on the flip side we have some crafty veteran receivers in Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton. In all honesty I would take Hilton over Torrey Smith. He has just been a better overall receiver in his career thus far. He has the numbers to back it up and was even explosive on special teams his rookie season.

Where we will dominate is at the line. Indy is lacking a pass rush with no Robert Mathis who will still be serving a suspension which leads me to believe Flacco should have a relatively clean jersey for yet another week. Also on the defensive side I have the Suggernaut all over the Colts backfield with their inexperienced line which gives up about two sacks a game. Luck surprisingly does have the ability to scramble (similar to Flacco honestly, let's remember he was our best rush threat last season...unfortunately). Those scrambles usually lead to first downs and sustained drives. While the Colts may be first in total offense, I have to give Flacco and the rest of our offensive personnel. Based nearly on running backs alone. How did Trent Richardson go from first round gem to trade trash? Justin Forsett meanwhile is leading the league in average yards per carry while Lorenzo Taliaferro has played the role as the closer in the past two games. Rumbling over tired opponents who couldn't keep up with Forsett only to get trucked by Taliaferro. Where they effect the passing game is mainly on play action since neither is heavily used out of the backfield the way Ray Rice used to. Only getting about 3 or 4 balls thrown their way. Well Forsett's way, Taliaferro hasn't made a reception as of yet. 

The interesting thing about Andrew Luck is he has yet to beat Joe Flacco however he was able to beat Peyton Manning his first try. This will be their second meeting, while not in the playoffs will be just as important on potential seeding in this year's postseason. Without Luck the Colts would be lucky to finish with six wins. The same could be said for the Ravens. Especially in their tough division. Both are very clutch when it comes down to tight situations and want the ball for that final drive to win the game. Until Luck proves himself in the postseason he stays behind Flacco. He may not be flashy but that unibrowed Jersey boy knows how to win! Two top 10 offenses going at it this Sunday, hopefully the Ravens will come out victorious.