BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Ravens know they need quarterback Joe Flacco to continue his hot streak in order to upset the New England Patriots. In order to do that, Baltimore has to protect Flacco like it did Sunday.

The Ravens didn't allow a sack in a 38-6 rout of the Miami Dolphins, which underscored once again why the line is the x-factor on offense. The Ravens are 15-4 (.789) when Flacco is not sacked in his career.

"I'm a big believer in the fact that this game starts up front with your offensive linemen," Flacco said.

On Sunday, Flacco was only hit twice and wasn't sacked for just the second game this season. The result: Flacco threw for 381 yards (fifth-highest of his career) and four touchdowns.

When pressured this season, Flacco has completed 46.5 percent of his passes for one touchdown and five interceptions (48.3 rating). When he's not pressured, he has connected on 70 percent of his throws for 14 touchdowns and six interceptions (94.7 rating).

"When [Flacco] has time, he is a dangerous quarterback, and we know that," said tight end Dennis Pitta, who caught two touchdown passes from Flacco on Sunday.

In the previous 11 games, Flacco was pressured on 128 drop-backs, which were the ninth-most in the NFL. This was a reflection of Baltimore's ever-changing offensive line.

The Ravens altered their offensive line seven straight games (Week 4 to Week 11) primarily because of injuries. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley missed four games with a foot injury, Marshal Yanda shifted to from right to left guard to help his effectiveness with a shoulder injury and rookie Alex Lewis remains out for a few more weeks with an ankle injury.

Baltimore has started nine offensive linemen this season. Only the Dolphins have started more.

But now the Ravens have gone with the same starting line for three straight weeks -- Stanley at left tackle, Yanda at left guard, center Jeremy Zuttah, right guard Vladimir Ducasse and right tackle Rick Wagner -- and a chemistry is being formed.

"That helps a ton with our continuity and just the way we communicate with each other and know how each other works on different blocks," said Stanley, Baltimore's first-round pick.

In Week 13, Flacco threw the second-most passes (47) and was among the six quarterbacks who weren't sacked. That's the reason why coach John Harbaugh gave the game balls to Flacco and the offensive line after the win over Miami.

"That's a really good defensive front," Harbaugh said. "We knew going in we'd have to control the front. Our offensive line did that. That's quite a statement against that defense."

The next potential statement comes next Monday night at New England. In the last four games, the Patriots have recorded 13 sacks, which are tied for third-most in the league.

Whether New England can get to Flacco will likely make a big impact on a meeting between two first-place teams. Flacco and his offensive line are far from panicking.

"We have to go up into a hostile place in New England that we really enjoy playing [at]," Flacco said. "It’s going to be another important game in December up there on a Monday night, and it’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to it, big time."