ExtremeRavens Posted Monday at 09:12 PM Posted Monday at 09:12 PM Joe Flacco started the season with the Cleveland Browns. After benching the veteran in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel, Cleveland traded Flacco to an AFC North rival. The Cincinnati Bengals brought in Flacco, who won a Super Bowl with the Ravens in 2012, to help replace the injured Joe Burrow. Flacco started Sunday in Cincinnati’s loss to the Packers, and he’s expected to start Thursday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Count Steelers coach Mike Tomlin among those perplexed by the divisional trade. “To be honest, it was shocking to me,” he said Monday. “[Cleveland general manager] Andrew Berry must be a lot smarter than me or us because it doesn’t make sense to me to trade a quarterback that you think enough of to make your opening day starter to a division opponent that’s hurting in that area. But that’s just my personal feelings.” Tomlin made clear his confusion lies solely with the Browns’ side of the decision. “It certainly makes sense from Cincinnati’s perspective,” Tomlin said with a wide grin. The smiles spread through the division. When asked about Tomlin’s reaction Monday, Ravens coach John Harbaugh cracked a smile. He kept his thoughts about the deal mostly to himself, though. “I didn’t think about it that much, probably because we don’t play the Browns or the Bengals for four or five weeks or something like that. … I was surprised,” Harbaugh admitted. “I will say that.” While the Browns’ and Bengals’ moves at quarterback have at least caught the attention of opposing franchises in the division, most people anticipate the division to be decided by Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers (4-1) currently hold a 3 1/2-game lead over the Ravens in the AFC North, but Jackson is expected to return from injury in Week 8 after the Ravens’ Week 7 bye. Even with a 1-5 record, FanDuel gives Baltimore the second-best odds to win the AFC North at +165. The Steelers are finally the favorite (-150) after the Ravens were still the betting favorite at 1-4. The Bengals (+1400) and Browns (+3300) aren’t expected to factor into the divisional race. Despite a growing deficit in the division, the Ravens are banking that Jackson’s return can turn the tide. “If I was on the couch with a psychiatrist right now, if I was spilling it, I’d say I’m leaning really hard into that,” Harbaugh said of Jackson’s expected return. Tomlin didn’t need a hypothetical shrink to share his feelings about the Flacco trade. His disdain for the Browns’ front office might be caused by Pittsburgh’s upcoming schedule. The Steelers face Flacco and the Bengals on Thursday and again in a month on Nov. 16. Pittsburgh beat Cleveland on Sunday, holding Gabriel to 221 passing yards on 53 attempts in a 23-9 victory. The Ravens don’t face the Bengals until Thanksgiving, although they did beat Flacco and the Browns in Week 2. It’s possible Baltimore could face Flacco three times this season, depending on when Burrow’s turf toe injury heals. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin. View the full article Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.