Flacco accepts blame for skid

Joe Flacco has lost three fumbles and thrown three interceptions in his last three games, each of which the Baltimore Ravens lost.

Flacco understands that an NFL quarterback often receives an inordinate amount of criticism in defeat and perhaps too much credit for a victory. And he’s OK with it.

Asked how much blame he deserves for Baltimore’s current skid, Flacco replied: “All of it. It starts with the quarterback.”

In this case, it really does. Flacco’s turnovers have contributed heavily to the Ravens’ longest losing streak since 2009.

But Baltimore (9-5) is headed to the playoffs for a fifth straight season, all with Flacco as the starter.

The Ravens can clinch their second straight AFC North title by beating the New York Giants (8-6) on Sunday.

Pagano could return

The Indianapolis Colts (9-5) hope head coach Chuck Pagano will be back on the sideline next week.

While no official announcement has been made by the team, interim coach Bruce Arians and others have pegged the Dec. 30 regular-season finale against Houston as Pagano’s possible return date. He has not been on the sideline since late September after starting the first of three rounds of chemotherapy in his battle against leukemia.

RGIII practices

Robert Griffin III is back on the practice field for the Washington Redskins, hoping the team will let him play this week as he recovers from a sprained right knee.

Griffin looked smooth as he went through drills during the 20 minutes the practice was open to reporters.

The Redskins (8-6) visit the Philadelphia Eagles (4-10) on Sunday.

Quick kicks

Center Eric Wood considers the Bills’ (5-9) annual games in Toronto to be “a joke,” believing the team gives away its home-field edge by playing under a dome and in front of ambivalent crowds. Buffalo is 1-4 in regular-season games at Toronto. … Steelers (7-7) QB Ben Roethlisberger has apologized to offensive coordinator Todd Haley for his comments following a 27-24 overtime loss to Dallas (8-6). Roethlisberger took Haley to task over the team’s inability to feature TE Heath Miller in the second half and wondered why the Steelers didn’t stay in the no-huddle offense. … The Jets (6-8) have placed rookie WR Stephen Hill on injured reserve, ending his season because of a knee injury. … The Lions (4-10) have put DT Nick Fairley on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. … Dolphins (6-8) RB Daniel Thomas has been placed on injured reserve because of a knee injury. … RB LeSean McCoy will start for the Eagles against Washington in his first game back after missing four because of a concussion.