ESPN.com's stat splits, Flacco's throwing 9.5 passes per game over the 10-yard mark, which equates to roughly 28% of his passes. In 2012 and 2013, 34% of his passes were going over 10 yards.

The Ravens have morphed into a team that's not just pounding the football with their running back and taking shots down the field to their speedy wideouts. Because of Gary Kubiak -- and probably the addition of Steve Smith -- Baltimore has been more calculated and precise, and it's catapulted their offense into one of the best in the NFL.

Joe Flacco isn't elite. He'll never be elite. But in 2014, Joe Flacco's showing all of us that he's still one of the better starters in the league. And if he can keep his pace into 2015, the Ravens will continue to be contenders.