For the last seven years, the Ravens watched from afar as other teams endured a fruitless game of quarterback roulette.
In 137 consecutive games, including the playoffs, Joe Flacco took the first offensive snap for the Ravens. Yet elsewhere, past-their-prime backup quarterbacks took center stage, and waiver wire acquisitions and street free agents became sudden starters.
When Flacco suffered a season-ending left knee injury Nov. 22, the Ravens joined the league-wide trend. Heading into Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium, the Ravens have started two quarterbacks, Matt Schaub and Jimmy Clausen, in the past three weeks, and a third, Ryan Mallett, could get an opportunity before season's end.