OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) - Maybe it's going to take a trip to the Super Bowl to convince those outside the Baltimore Ravens' locker room that Joe Flacco is an elite NFL quarterback.

Flacco is the only starting quarterback in NFL history to reach the playoffs in each of his first five seasons. He's won five road playoff games in his career, tied with Eli Manning for the most in NFL history.

Joe Montana didn't do it. Neither did Brett Favre, Steve Young, Troy Aikman or Peyton Manning.

Each of those greats, however, owns a Super Bowl ring. So does Tom Brady, who will lead the New England Patriots (13-4) in Sunday's AFC championship rematch against the Ravens (12-6).

Regardless, Baltimore receiver Anquan Boldin says of Flacco: ``He already has our respect.''