If there was any staff that might have used a victory, it was the Cincinnati Bengals. Led by 40-year-old quarterback Joe Flacco, the Bengals rallied within the ultimate two minutes to upset the Pittsburgh Steelers to kick off Week 7.
Flacco threw for 3 touchdowns within the Bengals’ 33-31 victory, main a game-winning drive that was capped off by an Evan McPhearson 36-yard subject objective with seven seconds remaining. This battle between 40-yard-old Flacco and 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers was epic, as Rodgers threw for 4 touchdowns within the loss — together with a go-ahead landing cross with 2:21 left.
The Bengals are again within the AFC North race at 3-4, whereas the Steelers fell to 4-2. This was a basic AFC North battle that had all of the trimmings, and a legendary efficiency by Flacco, who gained a recreation together with his sixth completely different staff.
The “Thursday Night time Soccer” video games have been bangers all season lengthy, filled with overreactions to thrilling finishes. Which overreactions from the Bengals win over the Steelers are literally overreactions and that are actuality?
Joe Flacco saved the Bengals season
Overreaction or actuality: Actuality
Did the Bengals want that win or what? Cincinnati was beginning at a 2-4 file after the Bengals misplaced to the Packers on Sunday, the primary recreation Joe Flacco was the beginning quarterback. Flacco was on the staff for lower than every week when he was requested to start out, and wanted time to get his toes moist. Though the Bengals misplaced that recreation, that they had some optimism they might transfer the ball offensively with Flacco.
Not solely did the Bengals get an excellent efficiency from Flacco, they received the efficiency of the yr. The 40-year-old Flacco went 31 of 47 for 342 yards with three touchdowns and 0 interceptions for a 108.6 passer ranking, together with 3 of three for 61 yards on the game-winning drive to upset the Steelers.
The Bengals seemed like an offense that was lastly in a position to go downfield with Flacco, utilizing Ja’Marr Chase to the perfect of his means (Chase received 23 targets) and Tee Higgins had premium utilization as effectively (10 targets).
The AFC North is definitely up for grabs with Flacco and the Bengals offense clicking like this. The sky is the restrict if Flacco can get protected and the Bengals can get the ball downfield.
Joe Flacco saved Zac Taylor’s job
Overreaction or actuality: Actuality
Taylor should not have been on the new seat with Joe Burrow out, however his file with out Burrow for the reason that 2020 season is 6-12 (the yr Burrow was drafted). General, Taylor is 8-26 with out Burrow. Taylor received the Bengals’ job in 2019.
With out Burrow, Taylor was a simple goal. The Bengals might have moved on from Taylor after the season in the event that they continued to wrestle with out Burrow, although Jake Browning immensely struggled to maneuver the offense.
For this reason the Bengals traded for Flacco, as Taylor wanted a quarterback to supply stability to his offense. Burrow was in a position to transfer the chains persistently, going 8 of 11 for 105 yards with a landing and 0 interceptions — a 132.8 passer ranking. He was in a position to get the ball to Chase, having a 103.7 passer ranking focusing on Chase and a 125.4 ranking focusing on Higgins.
Taylor lastly was in a position to have a quarterback that may run his offense — and win some video games. This victory over the Steelers took Taylor off the new seat, because the Bengals are formidable once more.
Joe Flacco was the perfect quarterback on the Browns
Overreaction or actuality: Actuality
That is extra of an indictment of the Browns as an offense than Flacco, who immensely struggled in Cleveland. Flacco did win the Browns’ beginning job in coaching camp, as Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders had accidents. The Browns had no selection however to experience with Flacco, however asking him to guide that offense was a troublesome process.
Flacco accomplished simply 58.1% of his passes for 815 yards with two touchdowns and 6 interceptions for a 60.3 passer ranking. Whereas Flacco seemed his age, there wasn’t a lot to work with in Cleveland. Gabriel goes via the identical points, and he is received simply two begins below his belt.
The Browns benched Flacco to play the rookies, however Flacco confirmed when he has good cross catchers — one being arguably the perfect receiver in soccer in Ja’Marr Chase — he can nonetheless play the place at a excessive degree. If the Browns had higher personnel on offense, Flacco would possible nonetheless be beginning in Cleveland.
Steelers’ loss will deliver them again to subject in AFC North
Overreaction or actuality: Overreaction
If the Steelers wished to run away with the AFC North, beating the Bengals would have been paramount. Pittsburgh had a possibility to have a four-game lead within the loss column within the division, however could not get it executed.
As an alternative the Steelers are 4-2 and the Bengals are in second place within the division at 3-4. The Baltimore Ravens are getting Lamar Jackson again this week, to allow them to see if they’ll make a run following Pittsburgh’s loss. The Steelers schedule will get harder too, going through the Packers (3-1-1), Colts (5-1), and and Chargers (4-2) over the subsequent three video games.
Might the Steelers fall again to the pack? Completely, however Aaron Rodgers is taking part in effectively and the offense is shifting the ball. The protection must patch up some communication points, however the Steelers can use the mini-bye to right that.
The subsequent three weeks will decide how good the Steelers actually are. Was Thursday’s loss a brief setback, or an indication of issues to return?
Aaron Rodgers will rethink retirement following season
Overreaction or actuality: Overreaction
Rodgers has acknowledged he believed this season can be his final within the NFL, therefore why he signed a one-year cope with the Steelers. He is walked again that assertion — type of — but it’s believed Rodgers might nonetheless undergo together with his retirement resolution.
Ought to he? Rodgers is taking part in effectively in his first season in Pittsburgh, finishing 68.6% of his passes for 1,270 yards with 14 touchdowns to 5 interceptions — a 105.0 passer ranking. He is on tempo to throw for 3,598 yards and 40 touchdowns. Not dangerous for a 41-year-old quarterback.
Rodgers has confirmed he can nonetheless play, however does he wish to proceed testing the fountain of youth and attempt to play at a excessive degree for one more seaosn? This is dependent upon how effectively he performs down the stretch and the way far the Steelers can go within the playoffs, giving Rodgers one other alternative to win one other Tremendous Bowl.
It is too early to inform if Rodgers will rethink retirement, however plans change.
