In a game that had all the makings of a classic — two legendary quarterbacks in their 40s dueling under the lights — Joe Flacco delivered a performance that reminded the NFL world why he still belongs on the big stage.
The 40-year-old quarterback, just ten days into his new role with the Cincinnati Bengals, torched the Pittsburgh Steelers for 342 yards, three touchdowns, and — most importantly — a 33-31 win that will be remembered as one of the wildest finishes of the season.
Let’s be honest: no one saw this coming. After a rocky stint with the Browns that featured six interceptions in four starts, Flacco was largely dismissed as a relic of a bygone era — a bridge QB, a backup, a placeholder. But Thursday night in Cincinnati? That was vintage Joe. The deep ball touch, the pocket poise, the late-game grit — it was all there.
.@Bengals have a fun message for the Browns 🤣 #TNFonPrime pic.twitter.com/gOr4dgE6QK
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) October 17, 2025
Flacco’s performance wasn’t just statistically impressive. It was clutch. After Aaron Rodgers — no slouch himself — gave Pittsburgh a one-point lead with a 68-yard bomb to Pat Freiermuth, Flacco answered with a cold-blooded, 52-yard march down the field. A 28-yard dagger to Tee Higgins put kicker Evan McPherson in range to bury the Steelers with a walk-off field goal, prompting Bengals fans to chant, “Thank you, Cleveland!”
Not a single turnover on 47 pass attempts. That’s how you silence critics.
Social media exploded in praise:
- “Joe Flacco. Elite.”
- “I’m so sorry for making fun of you and thinking you were too old, clearly I was wrong.”
- “Joe Flacco played his a* off tonight.”*
- “I hope Joe Flacco never retires.”
It was that kind of night.
Rodgers, for his part, was also brilliant — 249 yards, four touchdowns, and a near-perfect final drive that came up just short after a last-second Hail Mary was batted away by DJ Ivey. But two early picks, including an acrobatic steal by DJ Turner II, gave Cincinnati a chance to claw back after falling behind 10-0. And once Flacco got rolling, the Bengals took control.
Credit also goes to Ja’Marr Chase, who dominated the Steelers secondary with 16 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown. He was Flacco’s go-to option all night, constantly moving the chains and keeping Pittsburgh’s defense gasping for breath.
The Bengals now sit at 3-4, very much alive in the AFC playoff picture. The Steelers, now 4-2, suffer a momentum-halting loss that exposes vulnerabilities on both sides of the ball — especially in defending against the deep pass.
