Flacco Finds Vintage Form as Bengals Edge Rodgers' Steelers in "Icy Hot Bowl"

Cincinnati, OH – In a thrilling Thursday night showdown, Joe Flacco, quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, turned back the clock to lead his team to a dramatic 33-31 victory over Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The highly anticipated matchup, dubbed the "Icy Hot Bowl," featured two of the NFL's most seasoned signal-callers, both over 40 years old, battling in an AFC North clash on October 16, 2025.

si.com reported, Flacco, at 40, displayed a "vintage form," completing 31 of 47 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. His performance was instrumental in snapping the Bengals' four-game losing streak and injecting renewed hope into their season.

The game culminated in a tense fourth-quarter drive where Flacco orchestrated a game-winning field goal. He connected with Ja'Marr Chase for an 18-yard gain and Tee Higgins for a crucial 28-yard dart, setting up Evan McPherson's 36-yard kick with just seven seconds remaining.

zoombangla.com noted, Across the field, 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers, now with the Steelers, also delivered a strong performance, throwing for three touchdowns. However, his two interceptions proved costly in the tightly contested divisional battle.

This rare duel marked only the second time in NFL history that both starting quarterbacks in a game were 40 years of age or older. Their combined age of 82 years and 228 days ranks as the second-oldest quarterback matchup ever.

yardbarker.com reported, The significance of the game was not lost on football legends, with Deion Sanders taking to social media platform X to declare it the "Battle of the OG's." The high-stakes contest captivated fans, showcasing the enduring talent of these veteran quarterbacks.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor praised Flacco's deep understanding of the Steelers' defense, noting his extensive history playing against them. Flacco's midseason acquisition from the Browns appears to be a pivotal move for Cincinnati's struggling offense.

• si.com noted, The "Icy Hot Bowl" between Joe Flacco and Aaron Rodgers on October 16, 2025, was a historic event, marking only the second time in NFL history that two starting quarterbacks aged 40 or older faced each other. Their combined age of 82 years and 228 days made it the second-oldest quarterback duel on record, highlighting the remarkable longevity of both players in a physically demanding sport.

• Joe Flacco, the 2013 Super Bowl XLVII MVP, showcased a resurgence of his "gunslinger" playing style, reminiscent of his prime years. His ability to deliver deep passes and command the offense was crucial for the Bengals, who were in a four-game skid and struggling offensively prior to this win.

• zoombangla.com reported, Aaron Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl XLV MVP, continued to demonstrate his elite passing ability despite the loss. Now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rodgers has maintained a high level of play into his 40s, consistently ranking among the league's most efficient quarterbacks throughout his career.

• Flacco's journey to the Bengals in 2025 involved a midseason trade from the Cleveland Browns, where he had previously earned the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2023. This move allowed him to step into a starting role and immediately impact a team in need of a veteran presence and offensive spark.

• yardbarker.com noted, The game's outcome, a 33-31 victory for Cincinnati, was decided by a last-minute field goal orchestrated by Flacco, who led a clutch drive featuring key completions to star receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. This performance provided a significant morale boost for the Bengals and offered hope for their playoff aspirations.

• The matchup was an AFC North divisional battle, adding an extra layer of intensity and rivalry. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged Flacco's "added value" and leadership, while Bengals coach Zac Taylor emphasized Flacco's extensive experience against Pittsburgh's defense as a key factor in the win.

• si.com reported, The duel between these two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks captivated the football world, drawing widespread attention and praise from figures like Deion Sanders. It underscored a growing trend of veteran quarterbacks extending their careers and performing at high levels well into their late 30s and early 40s.