Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco: two veteran quarterbacks, both past the age of 40. And have battled head-to-head only three times in regular-season games, stretching back to 2009, each time with Rodgers coming out on top. Yet on Thursday night, something shifted dramatically. 

A streak that had lasted nearly two decades finally met its end. This win marks Flacco’s first head-to-head win over Rodgers since being drafted in 2008. 

Flacco admitted at the postgame SportsCenter interview, chuckling over the rivalry, “It was a lot of fun to go against Aaron [Rodgers] today and the Steelers again. I mean, I’ve played them so much. They’re such a familiar foe. I told Aaron after the game; I don’t think I’ve ever beat him head-to-head. So that was also a lot of fun for me to actually be able to get that done today.”

The Cincinnati Bengals’ 33-31 upset victory sent ripples across the AFC North. Notably, Rodgers, despite throwing four touchdowns and a solid 249 yards, was thwarted by two interceptions that swung momentum. 

Flacco seized the moment, throwing for 342 yards and three touchdowns without a single interception. This win narrowed Rodgers’ lead to 3-1 in their intersecting careers.

Context deepens the appreciation here. Aaron Rodgers, the four-time league MVP, has kept his team atop the division with his sharp arm and veteran savvy. But Flacco’s impact this season, especially since his move from the Cleveland Browns to the Bengals, has been nothing short of remarkable. 

With just two games under his belt in Cincinnati, he’s already molded a top-tier offense around stars like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase’s record-setting 16 receptions for 161 yards, combined with Higgins’ six catches for 96 yards and a touchdown, brought the Bengals’ offense roaring back. 

Interestingly, this duel created a rare and historic NFL moment. It marked the fourth time ever that two QBs over 40 have started against each other for an extended period, echoing the legendary matchups of Tom Brady and Drew Brees.

Simply put, Flacco’s second start as the Bengals’ quarterback is going to stay in the NFL history books for a long time.

How Joe Flacco threw a curveball at the Bengals?

The guy arrived in Cincinnati barely knowing the playbook. But managed to command a struggling offense. His 31 completions on 47 attempts against one of the stingiest defenses in the AFC North is no accident. It’s a testament to his football IQ and ability to adapt quickly.

The Bengals’ offense, which sputtered before his arrival, suddenly found rhythm. Flacco’s quick release and decision-making unleashed a vibrant passing game while giving their rushing attack more room to breathe. 

Flacco’s mindset is all business, and it rubs off on the team. The head coach, Zac Taylor, repeated “outstanding” over four times for his performance that night.

“We scored on, what, like six of the last seven drives maybe? Seven of the last eight. And really early on we had some drops and some quirky stuff happen that prevented a score there. So, just thought his performance was outstanding. Very calm, collected, led us in the two-minute drive to go win the game,” the head coach said.

In essence, Flacco’s arrival is coming off as a game-changer, a veteran presence breathing new life into a wounded Bengals offense. For Rodgers and the Steelers, this loss must have stung badly.