(already subscribe? log in).

Joe Flacco silences critics with solid effort

Ravens Notebook

THIS STORY APPEARED IN

January 23, 2012|By Julian Benbow

The Ravens Joe Flacco (22 for 36, 306 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) tries to get off a… (Barry Chin/Globe Staff )

FOXBOROUGH - After swallowing the bitter pill that was a 23-20 loss to the Patriots that ended the Ravens’ season, Joe Flacco couldn’t have cared less about the criticism, about the scrutiny, about proving anything to anyone who doubted him as a quarterback.

Flacco yesterday threw for 306 yards and two touchdowns with one interception on 22-of-36 passing in the Ravens’ AFC Championship game loss.

All week Flacco had heard this was a chance to silence his doubters, and after outperforming Tom Brady (239 yards, no touchdowns, two interceptions) only to lose, it wasn’t about proving anything anymore.

“I don’t care,’’ Flacco said. “Look at the film. If you look at the film you see how I play. I pretty much play the same every week. If you think I played better this week than other weeks, then I think you’re wrong. This is the way I play every week and I really don’t care.

“I don’t know if I will ever prove anything. That’s not up to me. My job is to go out there and play and give our team the best shot to win.’’

Flacco threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Dennis Pitta in the second quarter that tied the game at 10, and later connected with Torrey Smith on a 29-yard score, with Smith going down the sideline, then leaping and stretching the ball over the pylon.

With 1:44 left and the Ravens down by a field goal, Flacco drove them downfield.

He found Lee Evans on the right side of the end zone on second and 1 from the 14, but the play was broken up at the last second by Patriots defensive back Sterling Moore.

“On that last drive, not one guy doubted what Joe was going to be able to go and do, to march the ball down the field,’’ linebacker Ray Lewis said. “All the hoopla all week, Joe played his tail off. Our offense played their tail off. Our team played their tail off.’’

After being criticized by people on the outside, then hearing all week about comments made by his own teammate, Ed Reed, Flacco got support yesterday from inside his locker room.

Cornerback Lardarius Webb walked up to Flacco and said, “Joe, man, you’re everything I thought you were.’’

Not retiring type

Lewis quieted the speculation that he might retire after 16 years in the league, saying the loss only made him want to return more next season.

“For us to be here now, I’m hungry again, I’m thirsty again,’’ he said. “Is this my last time as a Raven? Absolutely not. Let me answer that question before somebody asks me. Absolutely not. It’s just too much.’’