There's no way anyone in Baltimore ever imagined a moment like this for Joe Flacco.
The Ravens' former Super Bowl champion quarterback began this season with one AFC North rival, the Cleveland Browns. Then he was traded to another, the Cincinnati Bengals.
And on Thursday Night Football in Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the vibes were even odder, because the Bengals were in their all-white uniforms, effectively making them snow tigers.
And there was Flacco, with just seconds remaining, taking knees to set up a game-winning field goal by Evan McPherson.
MORE: Justin Jefferson went undercover to fool the Vikings GM, and it was perfect
He's 40.
He was benched by one of the worst teams in football.
He was traded for out of desperation because Joe Burrow is out for months after toe surgery.
And somehow, Flacco got it done.
He threw for 342 yards. He completed 16 passes to Ja'Marr Chase. And he outdueled Aaron Rodgers in a battle of two middle-aged QBs.
Sometimes, sports are better than the script.
Who would've scripted this? Seriously, no one.
MORE: This Tom Brady receiving yards stat is pretty awesome
Flacco was on his couch two whole seasons ago before the Browns signed him late in the year and he went on a 4-1 run to make the playoffs.
He hung out with the Colts and got some starts last season, then reunited with Kevin Stefanski and the Browns for 2025.
That didn't even last half a season, though, and so Flacco took the trip south to Cincinnati.
If you had predicted this even a few weeks ago, it wouldn't have made sense.
But there was Flacco, looking like a snow tiger, picking up one more notable victory in a career full of them.
More NFL News:
- What Jaxson Dart does next is critical to Giants' future
- Bills' James Cook usage makes absolutely no sense
- Michael Penix Jr. validates Falcons' huge decision
- Baker Mayfield ties Patrick Mahomes in a recent NFL record
- Ja'Marr Chase has more solo tackles than Micah Parsons
- The Eagles have a clear reason for their Saquon Barkley problem