Critics have long struggled with calling Joe Flacco elite. After his Super Bowl performance on Sunday night, though, it may be tough to deny some of the facts. Flacco became only the second quarterback to throw 11 touchdowns and no interceptions throughout one postseason in NFL history.

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The other passer to achieve that type of success? Joe Montana. That's not a bad name to be associated with in just your fifth season in the league. Montana of course accomplished those numbers in three games, while Flacco did it in four. Still, it's a rare occurrence to witness mistake-free play like Flacco put together throughout the 2012 playoffs.

Flacco finished Super Bowl XLVII with a total QBR of 95.1, seven points higher than any Super Bowl quarterback in the QBR era, which dates back to 2008. His rating puts him ahead of players like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Drew Brees.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, Flacco finished 7 of 13 for 171 yards and two scores on passes of 10 or more yards downfield. The deep ball has been a deadly weapon for him throughout the year, and Flacco is really honing in on this facet of his game.

After becoming the 30th quarterback in NFL history to win a Super Bowl, Flacco sits with plenty of years ahead of him to capture a second title. The "elite" debate is quickly becoming more of a general discussion.