Joe Flacco, 1.6

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Greg Joyce, New York Post: How are you feeling about this opportunity?

I’m excited. Anytime you get a chance to lace ’em up, and you know you’re going to be out there to begin the game and give it a go, it’s very exciting. A lot of emotions go through your body.

Dennis Waszak, Associated Press: Has this been a strange season for you personally? Just the way the quarterback room has been?

For sure, but I think when you sign on a team, especially in a role that I signed on this team with, you never know how things are going to work out, and you have to be willing and ready to do your job in whatever capacity that is.

Brian Costello, New York Post: You’re going to be behind some guys who haven’t played a lot on the line. Robert (Saleh) ran off the list of the guys who are out. Does that make it imperative that you get the ball out of your hand? How does that affect the way you look at this game?

For me, it’s still about going out there and executing a game plan and relying on everyone else to do their part. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s about. You come together as a team, and there’s a lot of things that go into playing as a team, but the first part of that is doing your job as an individual. I think that’s the biggest thing that comes along with that — just trusting the guy next to you, that he’s prepared. I think that’s the biggest thing and the best way to do it. I have belief in everybody that’s out there that they’ve prepared and are ready to go this Sunday. I don’t think any individual can look at it any different than they normally would. It’s about going out there and doing your job and executing a game plan.

Brian Costello, New York Post: You’ve played the Dolphins a few times here. Are they a lot different than when (Brian) Flores was there? I know they kept a lot of the defensive staff. Are they still zero blitz a lot and trying to heat you up?

Well, I think when you look at it, they haven’t done it as much, but it is still part of their plan and they still probably have the core philosophies that are similar to what they’ve had the last few years. We’ll see what this week brings. Obviously, they have to win and they’re going to do whatever they have to do to do that.

Dennis Waszak, Associated Press: This is looking ahead a little bit, but for you, do you anticipate playing beyond this season? 

Haven’t even thought about it. It’s never really been a thought of mine. I’ve always said at some point the NFL is going to make the decision for you, but I love playing football and that’s what I do.

Andy Vasquez, NJ Advance Media: Was it a challenge when you went down to number three this year given everything you’ve accomplished, in terms of being motivated to prepare yourself the way you need to in case this opportunity came?

For sure. Every season presents different challenges. Yeah, can you get angry and can you act like a baby and do all those things? I guess so. I hope that I would never do that. Just look at it, try to find positives in things, and continue to come about my work day as best as I can and see where that takes me. At this point, I have an opportunity to play the last week of the season and go have a lot of fun out there on Sunday. At this point, you forget all about that stuff, and you’re just excited to go play a football game.

Brian Costello, New York Post: What’s the difference when you know you’re going to start a game versus let’s say Buffalo? You’re prepared as a backup, but you’re thrown in there in the middle of a game. 

It’s for sure different. That’s what I’ve done most of my career, so obviously I’m more comfortable knowing. It’s the not knowing of stuff that just kind of eats away at you. Whatever your situation is, as long as you know what it is, it’s a lot easier to deal with and handle and wrap your mind around.