Bengals vs. Steelers: Joe Flacco outlasts Aaron Rodgers in close Week 7 game

The start of Week 7 of the NFL offered a rare matchup between two veteran quarterbacks. At Paycor Stadium, the Cincinnati Bengals hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers in a game that pitted 40-year-old Joe Flacco against 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers , both of whom showed they can still perform at a high level.

Flacco played just his second game with the Bengals since arriving as a temporary replacement for Jake Browning , who had taken over after Joe Burrow 's injury. The quarterback displayed control and precision, leading a comeback that allowed Cincinnati to win 33-31.

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The veteran completed 31 of 47 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns. His connection with Ja'Marr Chase was crucial: the receiver caught 16 of the 23 passes he threw, accumulating 161 yards and a touchdown. Dan Pitcher 's offense opted for a balanced plan, prioritizing short passes and possession, which helped neutralize the opposing defense's pressure.

On the other side, Rodgers had a productive performance in numbers, completing 23 of 34 passes, 249 yards, and four touchdowns. His best moment came in the third quarter with a 68-yard pass to Pat Freiermuth , who scored after a running catch.

However, the Steelers' two interceptions by the quarterback proved decisive. The first led to a field goal for Cincinnati, while the second, in the final minutes of the game, was the work of cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt , sealing the home win.

With this result, the Bengals balanced their record at 3-3, remaining in contention in the AFC North Division. The Steelers, meanwhile, fell to 2-4 and continue to search for consistency under Rodgers, who, despite his experience, failed to capitalize on his late opportunities.

The meeting made it clear that, even with more than four decades of combined experience, Flacco and Rodgers maintain the ability to lead efficient and competitive attacks in a league dominated by young quarterbacks.