Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Gets Trolled By Bengals' Joe Flacco After Crushing Loss

The Pittsburgh Steelers were feeling very good before their Thursday Night Football contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers lost to the Joe Flacco led Bengals 33-31 in a dramatic finish that stunned Pittsburgh fans. With the loss, the Steelers now fall to 4-2 on the season and have given the Bengals new life in the AFC North. While the loss was a crushing blow for the team and its supporters, it’s something that can happen in the brutal AFC North. Head Coach Mike Tomlin has historically struggled in Thursday night divisional games, and this one added another frustrating chapter to that trend.

After the game, Flacco and Aaron Rodgers met at midfield in a moment that quickly caught the attention of fans. The matchup was called the "UNC Bowl," as Rodgers is 41 years old and Flacco 40, two veteran quarterbacks still proving they can compete at a high level. Despite the rivalry between the Steelers and Bengals, both players showed mutual respect after the final whistle, acknowledging the effort and history each brings to the field.

Thanks to a video from Jaron May of WLWT, fans got to hear what Flacco said to Rodgers after securing the victory. The exchange highlighted the shared respect between two of the oldest active quarterbacks in the NFL. While the loss stung for Pittsburgh, the postgame moment served as a reminder of the class and competitiveness that define both Rodgers and Flacco as they continue to defy age and expectations in a league dominated by youth.

"I think this is the first time I got you," Flacco said to Rodgers after beating him.

The clip captured a genuine moment of mutual respect between Rodgers and Flacco, as both veterans took the time to compliment each other’s performance. For Flacco, the win carried extra meaning, as it marked the first time he had ever defeated Rodgers, improving his career record against him to 1-3. Both quarterbacks played well for most of the night, showing that age hasn’t diminished their ability to compete at a high level.

Rodgers finished the game completing 67.6 percent of his passes for 249 yards and four touchdowns, though he also threw two interceptions. One was clearly on Rodgers, while the other came from an outstanding play by a Bengals defensive back. 

The Steelers' Defense Was Awful In Week 7 Against The Bengals

Flacco, on the other hand, was in control from start to finish, throwing for 342 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. The Steelers’ pass rush, usually one of the most dominant in the league, managed to bring him down only twice all night, allowing the veteran to stay comfortable and pick apart the defense.

Defensively, the Steelers played one of their worst games in recent memory. They struggled to stop anything the Bengals threw at them, and that proved to be the difference despite Pittsburgh’s 31-point output. 

Cincinnati racked up an impressive 470 yards of total offense, a huge leap from the 268 yards they managed just a week earlier against the Green Bay Packers. For a defense that prides itself on physicality and discipline, this performance was a major step back and a reminder that consistency remains a concern heading deeper into the season.

What is your reaction to the fact that the Bengals and Joe Flacco were able to do whatever they wanted offensively all night? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.

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