Among the many things that affect the passing game and consequently the performance of the quarterback are:

• Pass protection
• Ability to pick up and recognize the blitz by the entire offense
• The receivers’ ability to gain separation
• Versatility in play calling
• Communication between the QB and his passing targets

If I had to point to one thing that undermined the efforts of Joe Flacco on Sunday, the culprit would be the offense’s pacing. The Ravens were slow to the line of scrimmage and they left little time on the play clock to make pre-snap reads. Each time Joe Flacco set up in the shotgun center Matt Birk would look through his legs, pick up his head and then snap the ball. That sequence provided the Raiders’ defense with a great jump on the snap and a significant advantage.

Clearly the Ravens need to clean that up and pick up the pace offensively otherwise, they will be one and done in the playoffs.

The sloppy aerial attack has not gone unnoticed by fans and many have ridiculously clamored for a change behind center – a change to backup Troy Smith.

Such fans would be wise to take pause and remember that this is only Flacco’s second season in the NFL. He has started the last 35 consecutive games at quarterback for the team and he is about to experience his fourth playoff start. That experience will go a long, long way to accelerating that maturation process of the team’s franchise QB.

Clearly Flacco has been inconsistent during the second half of the season and it would be naïve of us all to think that injuries aren’t at least in part affecting his play. To his credit Flacco has not used those ailments as an excuse and his mental toughness is remarkable. That too will help him as he gains even more experience.

The criticism is fair. The call for Smith is ridiculous and a move like that is a nothing more than a few steps backward for the organization.