Joe Flacco stole the show Thursday night as the Bengals edged the Steelers 33-31 in a dramatic AFC North clash. Thrust into Cincinnati’s lineup less than two weeks after the Oct. 7 trade from Cleveland, the veteran completed 31-of-47 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns while also improvising a 12-yard scramble late in the fourth quarter that kept the drive alive.
Flacco’s connection with Ja’Marr Chase was a highlight. Chase hauled in a franchise-record 16 receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown, while Tee Higgins added six catches for 96 yards and a score. The win was only Cincinnati’s second of the season, improving them to 3-4, and it even tied Flacco with Tom Brady for the most career wins over the Steelers.
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After the game Flacco was candid about his whirlwind welcome in Cincinnati.
Joe Flacco on Cincinnati and playing FOR the Bengals after playing AGAINST them for so many years:
"I honestly never really loved coming here and playing…now I get to have a new perspective at least for tonight."
He went on to shoutout the Bengals fans. pic.twitter.com/UO5zRHEH7H
— Chatterbox Sports (@CBoxSports) October 17, 2025
“I turn it quickly. They turn it quickly, you know, I Feel like that’s what fans do . They want their football team to win and it just so happens that I’m the guy right now that’s behind the center You know the same thing with players,” he admitted.
He talked about the lessons he hopes his children learn to take on challenges and not hesitate when things look scary. “Whatever you see yourself as, there’s a reason for that and you shouldn’t hesitate,” he said.
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“ I honestly never really loved coming here and playing now that was unbelievable tonight You know like and Cincinnati would kind of put it on us. I feel like most of my career, especially when we came here So I didn’t necessarily love here. But now I get to have a new perspective at least for tonight and the fans.”
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Cincinnati’s quarterback injury woes Joe Burrow’s absence remains the backdrop to this chapter gave Flacco the chance to step in and inject life into a struggling offense. For one night at least, the veteran’s poise and perspective paid off in a win the fans won’t forget, truly indeed.
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