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Can the Baltimore Ravens Win Without Joe Flacco?

If Manziel wants an example of the way he needs to handle himself moving forward, he can also look across that quarterback meeting room at McCown, who has stayed in the league 13 years by being mature and responsible as much as able to make plays.

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Schaub has yet to play a game this 2015 season and according to ESPN, has not started a game for two years now. “It was right on the heels of discussions that not just I had with him but (quarterbacks coach) Kevin O’Connell and (offensive coordinator John DeFilippo) Flip and just that trust was violated”. Citing a breach of trust, Pettine announced Tuesday that the former Heisman Trophy victor would be behind Josh McCown and Austin Davis on the depth chart.

With Joe Flacco out for the season with a knee injury, Schaub will take control of the Baltimore Ravens’ offense Monday night against the Cleveland Browns.

The Ravens lost outside linebacker Terrell Suggs to a torn Achilles back in Week 1, and since have seen wide receiver Steve Smith (Achilles), running back Justin Forsett (broken arm) and quarterback Joe Flacco (torn ACL) go down for the season. I don’t think anyone will be more proud than I am.

“Stuff like this happens”, Flacco said.

The consummate teammate, McCown didn’t revel in being back atop the depth chart at Manziel’s expense. “But I’m excited”, Schaub said. I feel like we’ve gained some ground. The 12th-year journeyman amassed a career-high 457 yards and threw two touchdowns in leading Cleveland (2-8) to its most recent victory, a 33-30 overtime triumph in Baltimore on October 11.

The last 12 times a team has come off a drought of at least four seasons without playing at home under MNF’s bright lights, they’ve gone 11-1 ATS in the prime-time showcase in front of their crazed fans. “We are a team, and that’s how we approach it”. If Flacco was starting the Ravens would have been favored in this game. “You can notice that in the huddle when he’s calling the plays”. People are quick to forget that rookie tight ends take a long time to develop, as it is one of the more complex positions in the league. You’re still going up against the very vulnerable Ravens’ secondary that you faced many weeks ago. “I said, ‘Oh OK, let’s hang out here and see what I can do.’ I don’t know if that was the best thing, but it’s just a reaction”. Ravens have 15 players on injured reserve….

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“It’s pretty cool”, said guard Joel Bitonio. His run of success ended in 2013, when he was benched during a dismal season for the entire team. Both teams are out of the playoffs, but the rivalry between the two is strong enough, and neither one wants to lose this game to make a disappointing season worse. How well can backup QB Matt Schaub play?

Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports