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Joe Flacco makes 'candy' throws for Baltimore Ravens

While his performance has been somewhat overshadowed by the Ray Lewis Retirement Extravaganza®, Joe Flacco deserves a good deal of credit for the Baltimore Ravens' January rise.

As Peyton Manning posts up in some remote deer stand and tries to forget last week's loss, Flacco prepares for a rematch against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. The quarterback was excellent in leading the Ravens past Manning's Denver Broncos. Now, he needs to take his team past another Hall of Fame quarterback in Tom Brady.

And make no mistake, Flacco is leading this Ravens team. Running back Ray Rice told NFL.com's Kimberly Jones this week that Flacco is the team's general, adding that he deserves whatever he gets in the offseason, a reference to Flacco's well-timed impending free agency.

"I've never played with a guy with that much talent," wide receiver Anquan Boldin said, via Jones. "I'm talking about physically. Talk about making big-time throws, the deep ball, he does it all."

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Think about that. This is the same Anquan Boldin who once joined forces with Kurt Warner during Warner's joyous career resurrection with the Arizona Cardinals. Boldin believes -- at least physically -- Flacco is the superior talent.

Jacoby Jones, whose 70-yard touchdown reception forced overtime against the Broncos, had a fun way of explaining Flacco's superior deep ball.

"It's like candy," he said, via Kimberly Jones. "Everybody likes Skittles and Starburst. Everybody likes candy."

The Ravens are overflowing with confidence as they prepare for a Patriots team they know they can beat. Their faith in Flacco is a major reason why.

Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.

Follow Kimberly Jones on Twitter @KimJonesSports.