In a nail-biting Thursday night showdown, the Cincinnati Bengals conquered the Pittsburgh Steelers 33-31, marking a much-needed end to their four-game slump. Joe Flacco, stepping up as the star quarterback, threw for an impressive 342 yards and completed three touchdown passes, leading his team to victory. The thrilling game drew to a close with Evan McPherson successfully kicking a 36-yard field goal just seven seconds before the final whistle blew.
Flacco, who joined the Bengals from the Cleveland Browns on October 7, showcased his skills during his second start for Cincinnati. This 40-year-old quarterback not only impressed fans but also engaged in an intriguing duel with the legendary 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers—making this match one of the rare regular-season encounters between quarterbacks in their 40s.
In a performance that was both compelling and dynamic, Rodgers completed 22 of 32 attempts for 244 yards, securing four touchdowns but also facing the challenge of two interceptions. The highlight for the Steelers came when Rodgers regained the lead for his team with a thrilling 68-yard touchdown pass to tight end Pat Freiermuth with just 2:31 remaining in the game. On a critical second-and-20 play, he rolled to his left and delivered the ball deep downfield to Freiermuth, who caught it well beyond the Bengals' secondary, ultimately scoring his second touchdown of the night.
However, Flacco was not deterred by the Steelers' resurgence. He expertly guided the Bengals on a commendable 52-yard drive, stretching the play count to eight and including significant completions of 15 and 18 yards to burgeoning star Ja'Marr Chase, advancing Cincinnati into Pittsburgh territory. Flacco's sharp vision connected him with Tee Higgins for a brilliant 28-yard passage down to the Steelers' 5-yard line, crucially positioning McPherson for the final field goal attempt.
Chase’s performance was noteworthy, finishing with an astounding 16 receptions for a total of 161 yards and one touchdown. This achievement placed him among the elite in NFL history, becoming the fourth receiver ever to record two games with at least 14 catches within a single season. In addition to this milestone, Tee Higgins contributed significantly with six catches totaling 96 yards, while rookie Chase Brown made his mark with 108 rushing yards on 11 carries.
On the Steelers' side, Freiermuth also had a standout game with four catches that accumulated 106 yards. Jaylen Warren proved to be a formidable runner, racking up 127 yards from 16 carries.
Injury reports indicated that Bengals' defensive end Trey Hendrickson sat out the game due to a hip injury sustained in the prior week's match against Green Bay.
Looking ahead, the Steelers will prepare to host Green Bay on October 26, while the Bengals will take on the New York Jets the same day.
What’s your take on this thrilling match? Do you believe Flacco can continue this momentum or was this just a flash in the pan? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
