Thursday Night, the match between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals will be the first time in five years the NFL will have a rare matchup between two starting quarterbacks older than 40. The most popular players will be Aaron Rodgers, 41, and Joe Flacco, 40, in what many people will term a game of the ages. This is only the third time in the league’s history that the two major quarterbacks have laid hands on each other, both above 40 years old.
Aaron Rodgers’ Stability vs. Joe Flacco’s Fresh Start
Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco | Credits: Imagn
The story is fascinating. In his first full season with the Steelers, Rodgers has done well with some stability. Last Sunday’s 23–9 win over Cleveland showed his accuracy. Rodgers completed 21 of his 30 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns without being sacked or turning the ball over.
Meanwhile, Flacco starts his second game for Cincinnati. In Green Bay, he was 29-for-45, gaining 219 yards and throwing two touchdowns. Even though the Bengals lost 27–18, both of his touchdowns came on fourth down. This shows his calmness and experience under pressure.. Having joined the team just five days before that debut, Flacco jokingly admitted Tuesday, “Aaron’s been in the league a few years longer than me, but we both started playing in 2008, so doing it for a long time. It’s pretty cool.”
Reactions online reveal a fanbase split between loyalty and logic.
One fan captured the essence of the debate: “Probably the one with more touchdowns than interceptions.”
Another leaned on experience and familiarity,posting, “Rodgers only because he’s had all season with the same team. But I’m rooting for Flacco.”
Others cited continuity as the deciding factor. “Probably the guy that’s been practicing and playing with his team for the past 5 months… and not the guy who’s been with his team for 5 days,”one userwrote.
Another emphasized the trenches, arguing, “Clearly, the Steelers O-line will serve Rodgers better than Cincy can protect Flacco.”
And onesummed up the consensus bluntly: “Uhhh Rodgers, Flacco is going against a much better defense and just now is learning the offense.”
Whether Rodgers maintains his rhythm or Flacco channels his late-career resurgence will define a Thursday night showdown decades in the making.