Big Ben and Flacco: Through year 6

[bt12483]

Decided to analyze the two QBs through the first 6 years of their career (especially since both are AFCN QBs that get labelled as beneficiaries of their defenses, which is true, but obviously not the whole picture).

Big Ben Regular Season:
87 games, 1526/2411 (63.3%), 19302 yards (221.9 yards/game), 127 TD, 85 INT (1.49 TD:INT ratio)

Flacco Regular Season:
96 games, 1869/3103 (60.2%), 21545 yards (224.4 yards/game), 121 TD, 78 INT (1.55 TD:INT ratio)



Big Ben playoffs:
10 games, 172/278 (61.9%), 2239 yards (223.9 yards/game), 15 TD, 12 INT (1.25 TD:INT ratio)

Flacco playoffs:
13 games, 207/373 (55.5%), 2672 yards (205.5 yards/game), 19 TD, 8 INT (2.375 TD:INT ratio)



Big Ben total career:
97 games, 1698/2689 (63.1%), 21541 yards (221.1 yards/game), 142 TD, 97 INT (1.46 TD:INT ratio)

Flacco total career:
109 games, 2076/3476 (59.7%), 24217 yards (222.2 yards/game), 140TD, 86 INT (1.63 TD:INT ratio)

[bt12483]

Some interesting notes:

Flacco and Big Ben have almost identical yards/game throughout their career (222.2 to 221.2)

Big Ben has averaged 1 INT/game for his entire career (97 INTs in 97 games).

Big Ben had a similar "upside down" season as Flacco did this year. Big Ben threw 18 TDs and 23 INTs in his third season. Flacco just threw 19 TDs and 22 INTs.

Big Ben has a higher TD rate, but also a higher INT rate. Overall Flacco has the better TD:INT ratio.

Joe's durability is an added benefit.

You could also compare sacks and fumbles, which I think would also be quite similar.

Flacco has a lower completion percentage. But you would have to analyze which QB on average threw more low completion deep passes to see how scheme/playcalling impacts those completion percentages. QBs that throw more deep passes tend to have a lower completion percentage.

[arnie_uk]

Games changed, considerably. Need to factor that in as well

[bt12483]

Games changed, considerably. Need to factor that in as well

2 seasons overlap. So that only applies to 4/6 of the comparison.

[Ravenalytics]

Flacco's not missed a start, has he?

[lovefootball]

Flacco's not missed a start, has he?

Even with Oher on the Oline. Also, Flacco has stayed clear of the police, which gives him a big advantage with his career. BR never could win without LeBeau as the DC. Flacco has to deal with Cam and a defense that was hot and cold. BR has 2 SB rings, which gives him a post season advantage. But winning is the true test, advantage, Flacco.

[kronusthebonus]

Is there a stat in there for 4th quarter comeback victories? I'd like to see that comparison as well, I'd be willing to bet its pretty close.

[bt12483]

Is there a stat in there for 4th quarter comeback victories? I'd like to see that comparison as well, I'd be willing to bet its pretty close.

Profootball reference has that data.

[East Endzone]

Awesome stats, thanks!

[ravens47]

Even with Oher on the Oline. Also, Flacco has stayed clear of the police, which gives him a big advantage with his career. BR never could win without LeBeau as the DC. Flacco has to deal with Cam and a defense that was hot and cold. BR has 2 SB rings, which gives him a post season advantage. But winning is the true test, advantage, Flacco.

Ben has 2 SB's, Flacco has 1 and your saying that if winning is the true test shouldn't Ben have the advantage because of his 2 super bowls?

[bt12483]

Ben has 2 SB's, Flacco has 1 and your saying that if winning is the true test shouldn't Ben have the advantage because of his 2 super bowls?

His first SB he went 9/23 and had a 20 QB rating...

[ravens47]

Is there a stat in there for 4th quarter comeback victories? I'd like to see that comparison as well, I'd be willing to bet its pretty close.

Ben has 23 and Joe has 12.
http://www.pro-football-reference.co...cks_career.htm