Fansided

5 reasons Broncos can win the Super Bowl this year

By Russell S. Baxter

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 30: Bradley Chubb (55) of the Denver Broncos after forcing Philip Rivers (17) of the Los Angeles Chargers to throw an interception during the first quarter. The Denver Broncos hosted the Los Angeles Chargers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, December 30, 2018. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 30: Bradley Chubb (55) of the Denver Broncos after forcing Philip Rivers (17) of the Los Angeles Chargers to throw an interception during the first quarter. The Denver Broncos hosted the Los Angeles Chargers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, December 30, 2018. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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ENGLEWOOD, CO – JULY, Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco #5 losses his grip looking downfield during training camp at UCHealth Training Center on July 29, 2019 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Joe Amon/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
ENGLEWOOD, CO – JULY, Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco #5 losses his grip looking downfield during training camp at UCHealth Training Center on July 29, 2019 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Joe Amon/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

2. Playoff Joe Flacco

It’s safe to say that the numbers have been pretty disappointing for quite some time. In 2008, the Baltimore Ravens opted for University of Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco in the first round. His arrival coincided with the hiring of head coach John Harbaugh. The duo was a key part of a club that would reach the playoffs five straight years.

In 2012, Harbaugh’s squad knocked off the rebuilt Colts in the wild card round, stunned the Broncos and Patriots in Denver and Foxborough, respectively, and then held off the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. In 20 total games that year, Flacco connected for 33 scores while being picked off just 10 times. But in his last 85 appearances dating back to 2013, including a playoff split with the Steelers and Patriots, there have been 116 aerial scores and 82 picks.

Still, Flacco has shown that he can come up big when it counts most. In his last 10 postseason outings dating back to ’10, there have been 24 scores and only four interceptions. He’s thrown at least two touchdown passes in eight straight playoff contests dating back to 2011.

The team’s list of starting quarterbacks the past three seasons include Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, Brock Osweiler and Case Keenum. Flacco gives the franchise its most experienced signal-caller since Peyton Manning. But can he recapture that 2012 form as well as that recent playoff hot streak that helped lead the Ravens to an NFL title earlier this decade?

Next: No. 1

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