Cincinnati Bengals 40-year-old quarterback Joe Flacco won Thursday’s veteran duel against 41-year-old Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers to lead a thrilling 33-31 victory in the NFL’s Week 7 opener.
The Steelers had an early ten-point lead and the Bengals nearly squandered a ten-point lead in the fourth period before Flacco led a brilliant final drive that led to Evan McPherson’s field goal with seven seconds to play.
Legendary duel
Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium hosted a spectacular game and a crossover between two NFL legends like Flacco and Rodgers, both Super Bowl winners, who did not disappoint.
Joe Burrow, the Bengals’ regular starter, followed the game from his team’s bench, pending his recovery from a left toe injury.
Flacco, in his NFL-record 25th game against the Steelers, threw for 32 yards (31 of 47 passing), with three touchdown passes and no interceptions.
His great partner was Ja’Marr Chase, a real torment for the Steelers defense.
He finished with 16 receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown.
Rodgers shines, but does not avoid defeat
For the Steelers, Rodgers threw for 249 yards (23 of 44 passing), with four touchdown passes and two interceptions.
His 68-yard line to Pat Freiermuth had given the Steelers a 31-30 lead with 2:21 on the fourth-period clock, but it wasn’t enough.
The Steelers are now 4-2 in the NFL AFC North.
The Bengals were revived after four straight losses and now have a 3-4 record.
The Bengals’ comeback was strong after the Steelers got off to a great start, going up 10-0 on an eight-yard touchdown pass from Jonnu Smith and a 41-yard Chris Boswell field goal.
Joe Flacco stepped up and led a 20-0 run by the Bengals with two spectacular touchdown passes.
He found an eight-yard line to Chase and a 28-yarder for Tee Higgins’ big reception.
Evan McPherson’s foot completed that partial to give the Bengals a 20-10 lead.
An exchange of blows then broke out at Paycor Stadium.
Rodgers threw his second touchdown pass, a 19-yarder to Pat Freiermuth, and connected on his third with a two-yard line to Darnell Washington.
Flacco responds and seals victory
Flacco handed Noah Fant a five-yard TD pass and McPherson remained unerring with his foot to keep the Bengals up 30-24 midway through the fourth period.
The quarterback show would not end.
Because Rodgers led a 58-yard drive in just 25 seconds that ended with a fantastic touchdown pass to Freiermuth, who made it 31-30.
With his back against the wall, Flacco didn’t tremble. And he responded.
He brought the Bengals as close as 36 yards and McPherson completed his four-of-four on field goals for the 33-31 final.
With information from EFE
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