Joe Flacco Leads Bengals to Comeback Over Steelers/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Joe Flacco threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Bengals past the Steelers 33-31 in a dramatic AFC North battle. The game marked a rare duel between 40-something quarterbacks as Flacco outdueled Aaron Rodgers in a fourth-quarter comeback. The Bengals snapped a four-game losing streak with a last-second field goal.
Keyphrase + Quick Looks: Flacco Leads Bengals Past Steelers Quick Looks
- Joe Flacco throws for 342 yards, 3 TDs
- Bengals snap 4-game skid with last-second field goal
- Flacco outduels 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers in QB showdown
- Ja’Marr Chase sets team record with 16 receptions
- Game-winning drive capped by McPherson’s 36-yard field goal
- Bengals score on 7 of final 8 drives
- Rodgers finishes with 244 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs
Deep Look
Joe Flacco Engineers Dramatic Comeback as Bengals Defeat Steelers 33-31 in Battle of Veteran QBs
CINCINNATI (AP) — In a rare NFL battle of quarterbacks in their 40s, Joe Flacco turned back the clock Thursday night, leading the Cincinnati Bengals to a thrilling 33-31 win over Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Flacco, 40, passed for 342 yards and three touchdowns, including two clutch drives late in the game that sealed the Bengals’ first win in five weeks.
It was only Flacco’s second start since joining Cincinnati from the Browns on October 7 — a move that Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin had questioned earlier in the week. After watching Flacco torch his defense in the second half, Tomlin had his answer.
“This is why you play the game,” Flacco said. “These moments — coming back, leading your team — that’s what it’s all about.”
Bengals Snap Losing Streak with Gritty Final Drive
Trailing 31-30 with just 2:31 remaining after Rodgers hit Pat Freiermuth for a 68-yard go-ahead touchdown, Flacco orchestrated a clinical eight-play, 52-yard drive to put Cincinnati in position for the win.
Completions of 15 and 18 yards to Ja’Marr Chase, followed by a 28-yard connection with Tee Higgins, moved the Bengals into the red zone. With seven seconds left, kicker Evan McPherson drilled a 36-yard field goal, his fourth of the game, to clinch the win.
Fans at Paycor Stadium erupted and chanted, “Thank you, Cleveland!” as Flacco walked off the field, a nod to the Browns for trading the veteran quarterback to a division rival.
Flacco Outshines Rodgers in 40s QB Showdown
The game was just the third regular-season matchup in NFL history between starting quarterbacks over 40. Flacco’s precision and poise outshone Rodgers, 41, who finished 22 of 32 for 244 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Rodgers connected with tight end Jonnu Smith and Freiermuth twice, including the late go-ahead score. Despite the loss, Rodgers made headlines for holding the ball 8.598 seconds on his first-quarter touchdown — the longest recorded throw time since 2016, per Next Gen Stats.
But Flacco’s 23rd career fourth-quarter comeback stole the spotlight, with the Bengals scoring on seven of their last eight possessions.
Chase Sets Franchise Record; Offense Fires on All Cylinders
The Bengals’ offense clicked from the second quarter on, with wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase putting up historic numbers. His 16 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown set a new franchise single-game reception record, and made him just the fourth player in NFL history with multiple 14+ reception games in one season.
Tee Higgins added six catches for 96 yards and a score, while tight end Noah Fant also caught a touchdown. Chase Brown posted 108 rushing yards on just 11 carries, marking his second career 100-yard game.
“We’re starting to understand what this offense looks like with Joe (Flacco),” Chase said. “This is what we’re capable of.”
Turnovers and Missed Opportunities Cost Steelers
Pittsburgh started strong with a first-quarter touchdown and built a 10-0 lead, but back-to-back interceptions by Rodgers shifted momentum in the second quarter. The Bengals converted both turnovers into points, including a 29-yard TD to Higgins that gave Cincinnati the lead.
Rodgers’ deep ball intended for DK Metcalf was picked off by Jordan Battle, while a second interception set up a 49-yard McPherson field goal right before halftime.
“Turnovers hurt us,” Tomlin said. “We started strong, but gave them too many opportunities. And they made us pay.”
Injury Update and What’s Next
The Bengals were without defensive end Trey Hendrickson, sidelined with a hip injury suffered last week. Despite the absence, Cincinnati’s defense held firm in the second half.
Looking Ahead
Steelers (4-2): Host the Green Bay Packers in prime time on October 26
Bengals (3-4): Welcome the New York Jets, also on October 26
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