Joe Flacco, Ravens plan to be aggressive vs. Darrelle Revis
Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens say they can't shy away from Darrelle Revis on Saturday in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the New England Patriots.
The Ravens have faced Revis, a six-time All-Pro cornerback, twice in his career, according to The Baltimore Sun. Flacco targeted him five times in games in 2010 and 2011 and didn't complete a pass in his direction.
"When you go out there and you try to change things around and avoid a guy or pick your spots to go at a guy, I think you’re usually taking away a piece of your offense that you rely on a lot," Flacco said Tuesday, according to the Sun. "You allow them to dictate something by who they match him on or who he happens to be on on that play. So, I think as a play-caller, you have to just go out there, rely on your guys that you have that are out there, rely on the fact that they have ability. And as a quarterback, you have to go out there and just go through your reads. And if he’s open, throw it to him; if he’s not, don’t."
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Flacco has enjoyed a strong season, completing 62.1 percent of his passes for 3,986 yards, 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The Ravens' passing game ranked 13th in the regular season with 238.7 yards per game.
Revis, who signed a two-year, $32 million deal with the Patriots in March, has two interceptions and 47 tackles on the season.
New England's defense ranked 17th during the regular season in passing defense, allowing 239.8 yards per game. Revis was one of four players with two interceptions, joining Devin McCourty, Jamie Collins and Logan Ryan.
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The Ravens and Patriots will kick off 4:35 p.m. ET Saturday on NBC.
- Mike Fiammetta
