OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco rewarded his offensive linemen by thinking of their stomachs.

Flacco bought Traeger smokers for all of his blockers up front and had the Christmas gifts delivered to their houses.

"It feels amazing to get something from him on that holiday after putting our bodies on the line for him," left tackle Ronnie Stanley said. "He knows the sacrifice we make and we know the sacrifice he makes. It's a very nice gesture."

The Ravens' offensive line should be rewarded. After losing starting guards Marshal Yanda and Alex Lewis, Baltimore has exceeded expectations in protecting Flacco.

The Ravens have given up 26 sacks, which are the ninth-fewest in the NFL. Flacco has been pressured only 120 times this season -- the fifth-fewest in the league.

"Those guys are playing really good football at this point, and they have been working hard at it all year long," Flacco said. "It is definitely exciting for me as a quarterback to see how well they are playing."

Flacco has always shown his appreciation to his linemen. In the past, he's given them a variety of gifts, including expensive watches and gift cards. Last year, he gave his linemen a virtual-reality system.

"Every year, you got to try to do something that's a little different," Flacco said last year. "It's actually a lot of pressure."