It may have taken a better part of three years, but Joe Flacco may have finally arrived.

That’s what players in the Baltimore locker room said after Flacco led the Ravens on not one, but two potential game-winning drives in the waning moments of Sunday’s game against the rival Steelers.

The first one was turned away at the Steelers’ 2 with less than three minutes left. The second one turned out to be one of those defining moments in a quarterback’s career.

Flacco needed just four plays to go 40 yards and only 36 seconds to accomplish it. He connected with T.J. Houshmandzadeh on an 18-yard touchdown pass to not only give Flacco his first-ever win in Pittsburgh, but his first fourth-quarter comeback as the Ravens beat the Steelers, 17-14.

“I think there are going to be a lot of defining moments for Joe, but this is going to be one of them,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “This is going to be one that all the Ravens fans are going to remember for a long time.”

Not because the Ravens beat the Steelers, but how they did it.

The Ravens rebounded after two Flacco passes fluttered incomplete in the end zone, including one intended for Anquan Boldin with 2:44 left that gave the ball back to the Steelers.

“We had faith in our defense to give us the ball back,” Flacco said.

The defense did, and Flacco didn’t disappoint.

“We all just have so much confidence in Joe,” Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said. “I know I do, I know John Harbaugh does, I know our offensive staff does. I can’t imagine a better fit for the city of Baltimore than Joe Flacco.”

Flacco, one of four quarterbacks in NFL history to lead his team to the playoffs in his first two years in the league, surgically picked apart one of the best defenses in the league.

He ended up completing 24 of 37 passes for 256 yards and one very important touchdown with the game on the line.

“Those are the drives,” Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis said. “If you go back and look at the Montanas, the Elways, you can always remember those drives. We are talking about one of the best defenses in the game and for Joe to do that on that defense and the throws he made, the decisions he made … that’s what makes a good quarterback.”

Flacco was ‘Joe Cool’ on the final drive. He completed all four of his attempts and spread the ball to two receivers on both sides of the field, all while barely speaking in the huddle other than to call the play.

“He really didn’t talk too much,” Ravens running back Ray Rice said. “He’s Joe Cool. Obviously, he doesn’t have to say much.”

Added Houshmandzadeh: “He is just always calm. With Joe, he’s going to stand in there and is going to deliver the ball.”

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Steelers vs. Ravens 10/3/10

The Baltimore Ravens defeat the Steelers, 17-14, Sunday October 3, 2010 at Heinz Field.

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