Story perspectives

Flacco Leads Bengals to Thrilling Win Over Steelers

10/18/2025

Summary

Flacco Leads Bengals

Joe Flacco sparked the Cincinnati Bengals to a 33-31 Thursday Night Football win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, throwing 342 yards and three touchdowns in his second start.
Ja'Marr Chase set a franchise single-game record with 16 receptions for 161 yards.
Evan McPherson kicked the game-winning field goal, snapping Cincinnati's four-game skid.
Aaron Rodgers also excelled, passing for 244 yards and four touchdowns, but his two interceptions proved costly.
The Bengals improve to 3-4 and keep their playoff hopes alive.

Summary

Flacco and Rodgers Face Off

Joe Flacco and Aaron Rodgers will face off Thursday in an NFL matchup, the second in the Super Bowl era for two quarterbacks over 40.
Their combined ages total 84 years and 226 days.
Joe Flacco is the younger starter for the first time since 2020 after transitioning from the Browns to the Bengals.
Both players emphasize recovery and training to maintain performance, with Flacco focusing on short-term goals.

History

Historical Context

The NFL has seen a trend of quarterbacks over 40 excelling, notably Tom Brady, who led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl victory in 2021. In 2022, Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco also showcased their skills, with Flacco throwing for 342 yards. This shift highlights advancements in player training and recovery, influencing future strategies for aging athletes in the league.

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Flacco Leads Bengals

Joe Flacco sparked the Cincinnati Bengals to a 33-31 Thursday Night Football win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, throwing 342 yards and three touchdowns in his second start.
Ja'Marr Chase set a franchise single-game record with 16 receptions for 161 yards.
Evan McPherson kicked the game-winning field goal, snapping Cincinnati's four-game skid.
Aaron Rodgers also excelled, passing for 244 yards and four touchdowns, but his two interceptions proved costly.
The Bengals improve to 3-4 and keep their playoff hopes alive.

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