Joe Flacco's Resurgence: Is It Enough to Propel the Bengals to the Playoffs?
By Jason Bolton October 20, 2025 10:11
In the unpredictable theater of the NFL, few stories capture the essence of redemption quite like Joe Flacco's 2025 campaign. At 40 years old, the veteran quarterback—once a Super Bowl MVP with the Baltimore Ravens—found himself traded from the Cleveland Browns to the Cincinnati Bengals on October 7, following a benching and a sputtering start to the season. What followed has been a remarkable turnaround, with Flacco injecting life into a Bengals squad reeling from injuries and early losses. But as Cincinnati sits at 3-4 through Week 7, the question looms: Can Flacco's hot streak carry this team back to postseason contention in a stacked AFC North?
The Backdrop: Bengals' Early Struggles and the Flacco Trade
The Bengals' 2025 season began with promise but quickly derailed. Star quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a turf toe injury in Week 2, sidelining him indefinitely and leaving the team scrambling for stability under backup Jake Browning, who faltered in relief duties. By early October, Cincinnati was mired in a 0-3 hole, prompting head coach Zac Taylor and the front office to explore over a dozen quarterback options before landing on Flacco in a trade that sent a 2026 fifth-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for the veteran and a sixth-rounder. It was a low-risk move for a team desperate for a spark, especially after releasing other veterans like Mike White amid the quarterback carousel.
Flacco, who had been demoted in Cleveland despite a solid preseason, arrived with a chip on his shoulder. "This is what we do it for," he said in a postgame press conference after his second win with the Bengals, savoring the thrill of high-stakes football once more. His integration was swift—team leaders praised his quick grasp of the offense, turning him from a stopgap into a potential savior.
Flacco's On-Field Revival: Stats and Standout Moments
Flacco's stats through the 2025 season tell a tale of two halves. Overall, he's thrown for 1,376 yards, seven touchdowns, and six interceptions, with a completion percentage of 60.7% and a quarterback rating of 74.8—solid but unspectacular numbers that rank him mid-pack among starters. However, since joining the Bengals, he's been lights-out: In his two starts (Week 6 vs. Green Bay and Week 7 vs. Pittsburgh), Flacco has tossed five touchdowns with zero picks, showcasing the arm strength and poise that once defined his prime.
The pinnacle came in a thrilling 33-31 upset over the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 16, where Flacco orchestrated a game-winning drive in the final two minutes. Completions of 15 and 18 yards to Ja'Marr Chase set up the decisive score, capping a three-touchdown performance that included a fourth-down dime to tight end Tanner Hudson and even a 12-yard scramble reminiscent of his younger days. "Joe 2.0," as some fans have dubbed him, outdueled a resurgent Aaron Rodgers in what was billed as a battle of 40-year-old quarterbacks, helping the Bengals climb back into relevance.
This resurgence isn't just about numbers; it's about leadership. Flacco has jolted an offense featuring stars like Chase and Tee Higgins, providing the competent play the team lacked under Browning. As one insider noted, the Bengals needed "level quarterback play," and Flacco has delivered more than that, flipping the script on a season that seemed lost.
The Playoff Equation: Challenges Ahead in the AFC North
With the win over Pittsburgh, the Bengals improved to 3-4, sitting second in the AFC North behind the Steelers (now 4-3), with the Browns at 2-5 and the Ravens lagging further behind. ESPN's Football Power Index gives Cincinnati a 19.1% chance to make the playoffs, while other models peg it around 27% post-Steelers victory—a notable uptick from their pre-trade doldrums. Odds to win the division stand at +425, reflecting a path forward but no guarantees in a division known for its grind.
The remaining schedule presents a mixed bag of opportunities and pitfalls. Upcoming games include home tilts against the Jets (Week 8) and Bears (Week 9), a rematch at Pittsburgh (Week 11), and a Thanksgiving showdown at Baltimore (Week 13), followed by clashes with New England, the Ravens again, and others to close out the year. If Flacco maintains his form, wins against beatable foes like Chicago and New England could push the Bengals toward a 9-8 or 10-7 finish—potentially enough for a wild-card spot in the competitive AFC.
Yet, hurdles abound. The Bengals' defense, plagued by youth and inconsistency, has allowed opponents to rack up points, as evidenced by the high-scoring Steelers affair. Burrow's return timeline remains uncertain, and any regression from Flacco could derail the momentum. As one analyst put it, this is a team still searching for answers beyond the quarterback room. Trade deadline buzz suggests Cincinnati might bolster the roster further, targeting defensive pieces like Jeffery Simmons or Kayvon Thibodeaux to complement Flacco's offense.
Verdict: A Spark, But the Fire Needs Fuel
Joe Flacco's resurgence is undeniable—a veteran proving he can still sling it when it counts, turning villains into heroes and breathing life into a Bengals season on the brink. It's enough to keep them in the playoff conversation for now, especially with winnable games on the horizon and a division that's far from decided. But in the NFL, one hot streak doesn't guarantee January football. If the defense steps up and Flacco stays elite, yes—this could be the catalyst for a postseason run. Otherwise, it might just be a feel-good chapter in an otherwise frustrating year. For Bengals fans, hope is alive, courtesy of an ageless arm from Delaware.
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