OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Joe Flacco is healthy. He's coming off a career season. He's working under an offensive coordinator known for getting the most out of his quarterbacks.

But if you're looking for the biggest indicator why the 2015 season could be his best, it starts with Flacco turning 30 years old in January.

Flacco says he doesn't feel his age. In fact, he feels like he's just hitting the prime of his career.

"It's funny, but I feel like I'm starting to finally mature," Flacco said. "I think there is definitely a physical peak for people, and it's probably a little later than most people would believe. Mentally, I think there's no reason why you can't bet better and better. And at my position, that's a lot of it."

Joe Flacco has never missed a game in his football career. AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

The statistics support what Flacco is saying. Eight of the top 10 quarterbacks last year in passer rating were older than 30. The only ones younger were Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson.

This shows that high-end quarterbacks continue to improve and maintain their level of productivity well into their 30s.

"Obviously, there comes a point where you start to decline, but I don't know why that age can't be 45 if you really want it to be," Flacco said. "It's not like we're sitting back there and making eight guys miss and throwing a pass. You're dropping back within a 4-by-4 yard area, and you're throwing a football. I've just got to keep my arm in shape and stay healthy. As long as I keep my head right, that's really what it comes down to."

Staying healthy has never been a real issue for Flacco. He has started every game since getting drafted in the first round by the Ravens in 2008. His streak of 112 consecutive starts is the sixth-longest in NFL history.

Asked when was the last time in his life he was sidelined, Flacco said, "I've never missed a game because of an injury."

Flacco is more than tough and dependable. He's been one of the most successful quarterbacks of his generation.

He has won 72 regular-season games before turning 30, which ranks fifth in the NFL. He has led the Ravens to 10 postseason victories before the age of 30, which trails only Brady (12).

Flacco is also coming off a season in which he set career-highs in passing yards (3,986) and touchdowns (27). The Ravens are expecting that progression to continue under new offensive coordinator Marc Trestman, who turned the likes of Scott Mitchell, Jake Plummer, Rich Gannon and Josh McCown into highly rated passers.

"[Flacco] was really good to begin with, and he has gotten better every year, like you would hope," coach John Harbaugh said. "He never stops improving, which is what the great ones ... I think that's how the great ones are. But the nice thing is he's not at that stage yet where he has to overcome any physical liability. That's still a number of years down the road."

Flacco is relatively young even by football standards. There are 12 starting quarterbacks this season who are older than him.

Six projected starters are 35 or older: Peyton Manning (39), Tom Brady (38), Drew Brees (36), McCown (36), Carson Palmer (35) and Tony Romo (35). All but one (McCown) ranked in the top 10 in passer rating last season.

That's why Flacco said earlier this year that he can see himself playing into his 40s.

"When that day comes where I'm not getting better anymore, then that's when you probably know it's time to hang it up," Flacco said. "So, I hope that's not for a while. I feel better and better each year and just more and more excited, even about coming to camp, getting with the guys and doing it."