Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has refused to blame his knee brace for his under-par performance against the New England Patriots yesterday.
Flacco went 22 of 38 for 260 yards, two interceptions and no touchdowns as the Ravens were left on the brink of missing out on the playoffs courtesy of a 41-7 defeat that clinched the AFC East title for the Patriots.
The reigning Super Bowl MVP was wearing a brace on his knee after being injured during last week's win over the Detroit Lions, but he insists that his performance had nothing to do with the brace despite having trouble escaping the Patriots defence, who sacked him four times.
"I would have liked to play better. The brace had nothing to do with anything," Flacco told The AP.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh was also critical of Flacco's performance after the match telling reporters, "I don't think he played well."
The Ravens fell out of contention to win the AFC North with the defeat and are now tied with the Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers for the final AFC wild-card slot.
