The Cincinnati Bengals secured a thrilling 33-31 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night, ending a four-game losing streak. Joe Flacco, making his second start for Cincinnati since being acquired from the Cleveland Browns on October 7, threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing his experience against Aaron Rodgers, the 41-year-old Steelers quarterback. This matchup marked just the third occasion in NFL history where starting quarterbacks in their 40s faced off against each other.
Flacco’s performance was pivotal, as he completed 31 of 47 passes, leading the Bengals to a last-minute field goal. With just seven seconds left on the clock, Evan McPherson successfully converted a 36-yard field goal, sealing the win for Cincinnati. Coach Zac Taylor expressed his relief after the game, stating, “This is a huge win. We needed it.”
The game featured a dynamic back-and-forth battle, primarily driven by the quarterbacks. Rodgers completed 22 of 32 passes for 244 yards, throwing four touchdowns but also two interceptions. He put the Steelers ahead 31-30 with a striking 68-yard touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth with just over two minutes remaining. On that play, Rodgers rolled left and found Freiermuth downfield, who caught the ball at the Bengals’ 36-yard line before scoring his second touchdown of the night.
As the game neared its conclusion, Flacco orchestrated an impressive drive. He guided the Bengals 52 yards in eight plays, connecting with Ja’Marr Chase for crucial completions of 15 and 18 yards to move into Pittsburgh territory. A 28-yard pass to Tee Higgins positioned Cincinnati at the Steelers’ 5-yard line, setting up McPherson’s game-winning kick.
Chase had an exceptional night, breaking a franchise record with 16 receptions for 161 yards and one touchdown. This performance made him the fourth receiver in NFL history to achieve two games with at least 14 catches in a single season. Higgins also contributed significantly, finishing with six catches for 96 yards and a touchdown, while Noah Fant added another touchdown reception to the Bengals’ tally.
The Bengals’ offense found its rhythm, scoring on seven of their last eight possessions. This win marked the first since quarterback Joe Burrow sustained a toe injury on September 14. Following Burrow’s injury, the Bengals struggled with Jake Browning at the helm, which prompted the team to acquire Flacco to bolster their chances.
On the other side, Freiermuth finished with four receptions for 106 yards, and Jaylen Warren made a notable impact for the Steelers, rushing for 127 yards on 16 carries. Despite the loss, Pittsburgh remains competitive with a season record of 4-2.
Looking ahead, the Steelers will host the Green Bay Packers on October 26, while the Bengals will face the New York Jets on the same day. Both teams will aim to build momentum as the season progresses, with Cincinnati seeking to capitalize on their newfound success.
