Joe Flacco Talks 'Special' Win vs. Aaron Rodgers, Steelers as Ja'Marr Chase Hypes QB

Less than two weeks after arriving in a trade from the Cleveland Browns, quarterback Joe Flacco was a central figure in the Cincinnati Bengals' 33-31 upset win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night.

Speaking to reporters after kicker Evan McPherson's 36-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining put the Bengals ahead for good, Flacco called Thursday's victory "pretty special."

The 40-year-old Flacco and 41-year-old Rodgers, who are the two oldest active quarterbacks in the NFL, went blow for blow during the thrilling shootout, and they showed their appreciation for each other after the game:

Bengals superstar wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was also appreciative of Flacco's effort, telling reporters: "It's honestly good having him here for us. Organization made a big jump on him. We believed in him. We got him. He came in, doing his thing and showing off for us."

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Making only his second start since arriving in Cincinnati, Flacco turned in a vintage performance against the Steelers, going 31-of-47 for 342 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Chase was the main beneficiary of Flacco's play, reeling in 16 receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown. No. 2 wideout Tee Higgins enjoyed his best game of the season as well with six grabs for 96 yards and a score.

Flacco began the season as the Browns' starting quarterback, and he largely struggled, throwing for 815 yards, two touchdowns and six picks amid a 1-3 start.

The Bengals were similarly going through it after star quarterback Joe Burrow was placed on injured reserve with a toe injury, as backup Jake Browning went 0-3 in his three starts.

Hoping Flacco still had something left in the tank to save their season, the Bengals sent a 2026 fifth-round draft pick to the Browns for the Super Bowl XLVII MVP and a sixth-round pick.

The Bengals lost Flacco's first start, but he performed admirably given that he had only a few days to get acclimated after the trade.

Flacco threw for 2019 yards, two touchdowns and no picks in a 27-18 road loss to the Green Bay Packers, leading to optimism that he could potentially get the Bengals back on track.

That came to fruition Thursday night, as Flacco has Cincinnati back in the playoff discussion with a 3-4 record.

The Bengals' next two games are at home against the winless New York Jets and the 3-2 Chicago Bears, which suggests Cincy has a legitimate chance to enter the bye week with a winning record.

If Flacco can at least help the Bengals hover around the .500 mark, there may be a chance for Burrow to return late in the season and push the team into the playoffs for the first time since 2022.