40-year-old Flacco throws for 342 yards while 41-year-old Rodgers passes Ben Roethlisberger for fifth in career passing yards
Thursday Night Football doesn’t always bring the best game during the weekly NFL schedule. But the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals this Thursday had a lot more storylines and excitement than your average Thursday night game.
The best one of all? Labeling it the “Icy Hot” Bowl.
41-year-old Aaron Rodgers starting for the Pittsburgh Steelers. 40-year-old Joe Flacco starting for the Cincinnati Bengals. Just the second ever matchup of two QB’s over 40, with Tom Brady and Drew Brees the other combo. “Oldest quarterbacks playing this week, let’s go,” Steelers’ lineman Cameron Heyward said at practice this week. “Icy Hot bowl. I love it!”
Rodgers himself said he enjoys that label, “I think it’s great for all the old guys,” he said, per ESPN. “I know that when I watch other sports, maybe it’s because I’m the older guy, but I tend to pull for the older guys to win championships.
“I’ve known Joe for a long time. He’s been great coming to my charity event. He’s been a great ambassador for the league. He’s had a great career, and it’s fun that we’re both still playing.”
Well, in a tightly-contested, up-tempo game at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, both quarterbacks showed they still have it. And maybe that Icy Hot is pretty darn effective too.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws a pass in the first quarter of the NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Oct. 16, 2025. (© Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Joe Flacco Helps Save Cincinnati Bengals Season
After Joe Burrow went down for the majority of the season, Cincinnati struggled to replace him. Well, struggled is an understatement. They were blown out 48-10 by the Minnesota Vikings. They were blown out 28-3 by the Denver Broncos. Two close losses followed to the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers.
But it was clear that without improvement at quarterback, their season was effectively over. They certainly found improvement by swinging a trade for Joe Flacco.
Flacco was outstanding, in a vintage performance for the very gray-haired starter. Out of nowhere, Flacco was 31-47 for 342 yards, with three touchdowns and no picks. He even added some value with his legs. Seriously. In the 4th quarter, the Bengals called a read-option play, which Flacco kept and picked up 12 yards and a first down.
Superstar wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was, unsurprisingly, his favorite target. The best receiver in the NFL, Chase was targeted a whopping 23 times, catching 16 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. He also racked up an astonishing 89 yards after the catch, as a Thursday Night Football-level Steelers defense was a step behind him all night.
Oct 16, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) reacts after catching a touchdown pass thrown by quarterback Joe Flacco (16) (not pictured) against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Rodgers was nearly as good. The future Hall-of-Famer was 22-32 for 244 yards, with four touchdowns and two interceptions. His night also moved him past Ben Roethlisberger for the 5th most passing yardage by any quarterback. One of those touchdowns seemed to give the Steelers a chance at an impressive comeback win. Trailing 30-24 with just 2:31 remaining, the Steelers faced a 2nd and 20 from their own 32-yard-line.
Rodgers found Pete Friermuth down the sideline, and nobody could catch him. 68-yards later, the Steelers had tied the score, knocking home the extra point to take a 31-30 lead.
But as he had all night, Flacco had the answer for the Bengals. Flacco dropped a beautiful deep ball down the sideline to Tee Higgins, who broke free from the Pittsburgh defender. Instead of running in the touchdown and giving Rodgers life, Higgins made the smart play and went down inside the 10.
The Bengals ran down the clock, kicking a short field goal to win 33-31.
Cincinnati had to win; falling to 2-5 would make the playoffs a very difficult hill to climb. They did. Flacco took advantage of a clearly lethargic Steelers defense, and the Bengals offense looked rejuvenated. Rodgers and the Steelers still have a commanding lead in the AFC North, and the surprisingly poor start from the Baltimore Ravens makes them overwhelming favorites to win their division.
Still, just a bit more fight on defense in the 4th quarter could have moved them to 5-1. Thursday Night Football might not be the highest level of NFL play, but at least it’s chaotic.
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