Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco leaves the field following an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cincinnati Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
In what became affectionately known as the “Unc Bowl” on social media, 40-year-old Cincinnati Bengals quarterback **Joe Flacco** bested 41-year-old Pittsburgh Steelers QB **Aaron Rodgers** on Thursday.
After spending the first 11 years of his career with the Baltimore Ravens, Flacco has become something of a journeyman of late. The former Super Bowl MVP had stints with the New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, and Indianapolis Colts. This season, he returned to the Browns.
But Flacco has wound up on the Bengals after QB **Joe Burrow** went down with an injury, which sent Cincinnati scrambling to find a veteran who could right the ship.
In his first game with the Bengals, Flacco lost a close-but-competitive contest against the Green Bay Packers. He completed 29 of 45 passes and threw a pair of touchdowns.
Just four days later, he took on Rodgers and the Steelers. While it was still early in the season, the division standings made the win essential for the Bengals to realistically keep their playoff hopes alive. Heading into the game, the Steelers led the AFC North at 4-1, while the Bengals were second at 2-4.
In response to the pressure of a must-win game, Flacco was 31 of 37 for 342 yards and three touchdowns. He also led the offense in a last-minute drive that ended with the game-winning field goal.
Rodgers didn’t let Flacco have all the shine, though. Prior to that drive, Rodgers found tight end Pat Freiermuth for a 68-yard, go-ahead TD with less than three minutes remaining.
Naturally, social media erupted at the sight of Flacco and [Rodgers](https://www.mediaite.com/media/sports/aaron-rodgers-tells-pat-mcafee-hes-pretty-sure-hell-retire-after-2025-season/) turning back the clock to provide a quality Thursday Night Football matchup.
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