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In a sport that Cam Heyward has dubbed “The Icy Sizzling Bowl,” Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco will face off on Thursday evening in solely the third matchup in NFL historical past between two quarterbacks over the age of 40.
Talking of historical past, the Bengals‘ new quarterback has loads of that towards the Steelers. Flacco, who has confronted Pittsburgh over two dozen instances over his 18-year profession, recalled his favourite recollections towards the Steelers forward of Thursday evening’s sport.
“We beat them within the playoffs one 12 months, after which a few game-winners,” Flacco mentioned. “I hit Cincinnati Bengal T. J. Houshmandzadeh for a game-winner. I hit Torrey Smith for a game-winner behind the tip zone. These had been three video games I can consider off the highest of my head that had been fairly enjoyable.”
After shedding his first two playoff video games towards Pittsburgh, Flacco and the Ravens acquired some payback within the 2014 wild-card spherical. Flacco threw for 259 yards and two touchdowns whereas main the Ravens to a 30-17 win.
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Three years earlier, Flacco threw the game-winner to Smith in one other sport performed in Pittsburgh. A 12 months earlier than that, Flacco silenced the Steelers dwelling crowd after throwing a game-winner to Houshmandzadeh that led to Pittsburgh’s first lack of the season.
Flacco beat the Steelers once more final 12 months as a member of the Colts. After then-Colts starter Anthony Richardson left the sport with an harm, Flacco got here in and threw two touchdowns whereas compiling a 105.9 passer score. The Colts recorded a 27-24 win whereas handing the Steelers their first loss.
Earlier this season, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin recalled that he had instructed his protection to maintain Richardson “upright” in order that Flacco would not enter the sport. Tomlin made headlines earlier this week when he questioned the Browns‘ logic in buying and selling Flacco to a division rival.
Whereas Tomlin’s feedback had been an apparent shot on the Browns, it was additionally an indication of respect for Flacco, a former Tremendous Bowl MVP who’s lower than 200 yards away from passing Russell Wilson for fifteenth all-time on the NFL’s profession passing record.
The respect is mutual, as Flacco credited Tomlin for Pittsburgh’s sustained degree of success over the previous two-plus a long time.
“Look how constant they have been during the last 20 years,” he mentioned. “I imply, how lengthy has he been there now? They’re all the time bodily. I believe they discovered who they needed to be as a staff early on, and so they’ve continued to construct their groups based mostly off of that, and that is why they all the time have an opportunity.”
Pittsburgh is off to a different robust begin this season. With a win on Thursday evening, the Steelers would enhance their lead within the AFC North standings to a whopping 3.5 video games. An enormous motive for Pittsburgh’s early success has been the play of Rodgers, who has thrown 10 touchdowns towards simply two interceptions by 5 video games.
At 2-4, the Bengals want a win in an effort to stay in placing distance of the Steelers within the AFC North standings. A win would additionally hold them within the playoff hunt when it comes to a wild-card spot.
Regardless of Joe Burrow’s harm, Bengals coach Zac Taylor believes that his squad remains to be able to making a deep playoff run. That is why he and the Bengals acquired Flacco, who will look to reward their religion in him with a win on Thursday evening towards an opponent that has turn out to be synonymous along with his lengthy and distinguished profession.
“I’ve so many nice many recollections of enjoying these guys, and a lot respect for them as a staff,” Flacco mentioned of the Steelers. “Although they’ve modified over time, nonetheless a variety of those self same guys and acquainted faces. Simply a variety of respect for what they have been in a position to do. At all times battling towards these guys, you understand you are in for a superb one.”
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