Aaron Rodgers vs. Joe Flacco stats: How new Bengals starter outdueled Steelers QB in 'battle of the uncs'

Dan Treacy

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Aaron Rodgers vs. Joe Flacco stats: How new Bengals starter outdueled Steelers QB in 'battle of the uncs' image

They've still got it.

While it's not 2014 or even 2021 anymore for Aaron Rodgers, or 2012 for Joe Flacco, the two AFC North quarterbacks showed on "Thursday Night Football" that they still have something in the tank as they battled in what the NFL itself dubbed the "battle of the uncs."

By the end of the night, however, it was Flacco who had the edge over his 41-year-old counterpart with a brilliant performance to give the Cincinnati Bengals their first win since Week 2.

Here's a look at how Rodgers and Flacco fared in Thursday's battle of quarterbacks aged 40 and older.

MORE: 10 oldest quarterback matchups in NFL history

Aaron Rodgers vs. Joe Flacco stats

Final score: Bengals 33, Steelers 31

Aaron RodgersStatJoe Flacco
67.6% (23/34)Comp. rate66.0% (31/47)
249Yards342
4TD3
2INT0
103.7Passer rating108.6
1Rush attempts5
6Rush yards3

Both Rodgers and Flacco had some impressive moments in the first half, including a dart from Rodgers for a Jonnu Smith touchdown on a play that saw him receive all the time in the world behind his offensive line. Flacco, meanwhile, avoided turnovers and still put up strong numbers despite being the victim of multiple key drops from his pass-catchers. He and the Bengals finished the first half with 17 consecutive points with the help of key turnovers.

Rodgers threw three touchdown passes in the second half, but it wasn't enough to keep pace with Flacco thanks in part to a difficult final drive from the Steelers' defense. Flacco kept hitting Ja'Marr Chase, who recorded 16 catches on 23 targets, and he ultimately found Tee Higgins for a completion that set up a game-winning field goal from Evan McPherson.

Turnovers helped get the Bengals back into the game in the first half. While Rodgers' second interception was quite literally ripped out of DK Metcalf hands and can't be placed on the quarterback, Flacco was the only one of the two quarterbacks who didn't commit a turnover. That was the difference in the end.

MORE: Ranking the 19 greatest Steelers players of all time

Aaron Rodgers highlights 

In a lowlight, Rodgers was intercepted downfield by Jordan Battle to help turn the tide toward the Bengals.

Joe Flacco highlights

Dan Treacy

Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News, joining in 2022 after graduating from Boston University. He founded @allsportsnews on Instagram in 2012 and has written for Lineups and Yardbarker.