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CINCINNATI–ten days ago, Joe Flacco Didn’t know if he would ever again experience what he felt Thursday night.
Last week, Flacco was a quarterback benched in his 18th NFL season. On Thursday night, they celebrated another comeback win in the AFC North.
nine days after his trade cincinnati bengalsHe led his new club win 33-31 Above pittsburgh steelers At Pecor Stadium. Needing points on the final drive to win, Flacco led the offense down the field with the kicker Evan McPhersonA 36-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining sealed the victory.
Flacco admitted he felt uncertain about getting back to the position he was in Thursday night.
“Honestly, I felt like I probably wouldn’t make it,” Flacco said. “It’s very special.”
In the second game after his trade from cleveland brownsThe 40-year-old helped Cincinnati snap a four-game losing streak. He was 31 of 47 passing for 342 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. It was the Bengals’ (3-4) first win since the starting quarterback joe burro Got a toe injury in the second week.
Burrow watched from the sideline with a walking boot on his left foot as Flacco played out the final minutes of the game to save Cincinnati from a devastating collapse. Bengals fall behind by one point after leading for much of the game in a tough game against the Steelers. Pat Freiermuth Caught a 68-yard touchdown pass from aaron rodgers 2:21 left.
But in his 23rd regular season game against the Steelers (4-2), Flacco played well. At the peak of Cincinnati’s field goal range, he hit the wide receiver t higgins A 28-yard completion down the left sideline that made McPherson’s kick look relatively easy.
McPherson is one of those who has enjoyed having a veteran quarterback on his team.
“I like his attitude and what he brings to the team,” McPherson said. “He has done a great job connecting with people in a very short period of time.”
Flacco made most of his connections with Higgins and wide receivers jammer chase Against the Steelers. Chase set a franchise record with 16 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown. It was his ninth game with over 150 receiving yards, second-most behind Jerry Rice in his first five seasons of an NFL career.
Chase again praised the franchise’s decision to acquire Flacco as its starting quarterback.
“It’s really good to have him here for us,” Chase said. “The organization made a big jump on him. We believed in him. We got him. He came in, did his job and made appearances for us.”
Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Flacco’s experience was important in a game that Cincinnati “needed.” And the veteran made it look almost effortless.
“It’s easy for him,” Taylor said. “And it’s not just because he’s been putting in the work. He’s very experienced in this position. You get a lot of confidence from him because he goes out there [and] It is not very large.”
Last week, Flacco was driving down Interstate 75, talking to Taylor on the phone as the coach started explaining the playbook as quickly as possible. Despite his experience, Flacco wanted to make sure he didn’t waste any opportunities.
Thursday night, Flacco talked about the relief his family probably felt seeing him complete another game. In his postgame press conference, Flacco said he was curious to hear how that relief turned into excitement.
Flacco said, “I can’t wait to talk to my wife tonight and hear it all in her voice.” “talking to [family] Reminds you how special it is.”
