On Thursday Night Football in Week 7, the Bengals hosted the Steelers. This was the first of two matchups in 2025. It was also Cincinnati’s second game with Joe Flacco as the starter.
The Bengals traded him to the Cleveland Browns on October 7th. Just 10 days later, Flacco led Cincinnati to a blowout victory over the Steelers, 4-1 against TNF. It was another vintage performance for Flacco, who finished with 342 passing yards and threw three touchdown passes. Ja’Marr Chase of the Bengals was targeted 23 times by Flacco. He finished the game with 16 receptions, 161 yards, and one touchdown. His 16 receptions are a new franchise record for most catches in a single game.
Despite no Joe Burrow, Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase still sets franchise record
In just his second game against QB Joe Flacco, Ja’Marr Chase set a single-game record for the Bengals. pic.twitter.com/VJ9vygb7xI
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 17, 2025
When Joe Burrow went down, Cincinnati’s offense struggled. Jake Browning has proven himself to be a capable backup in the past. However, it will not reach that standard in 2025. After starting 2-0, the Bengals lost three straight games in which Jake Browning started. Before their Week 6 matchup, the Bengals made a move to save their season. They made an intradivisional trade with the Cleveland Browns to acquire Joe Flacco.
They lost their first matchup against the Packers in Week 6. Joe Flacco only had a few days to adjust to his new team. On top of that, the Bengals showed a rapid turnaround in Week 7. They played TNF vs. the Steelers. Cincinnati entered the game with a record of 2-4 and the Steelers were 4-1. Despite Pittsburgh’s advantage, the Bengals fought for the win. Kicker Evan McPherson made the game-winning 36-yard field goal with seven seconds left.
Ja’Marr Chase joins Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Randy Moss as the only three players in NFL history to have 6,000 or more rushing yards and 50 or more TDs in the first five seasons of their careers ✅@Real10jay__ | #Who is it? pic.twitter.com/1Udp3mpVEk
— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) October 17, 2025
In Week 7, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco reinvigorated the Bengals’ offense. For the first time all season, a QB on the roster passed for over 300 yards. Joe Flacco had 342 passing yards and three touchdowns for TNF, which went 31-47. His favorite target in Week 7 was none other than Ja’Marr Chase. The All-Pro WR was targeted 23 times against the Steelers. He had 16 catches for 161 yards and one touchdown.
Chase’s 16 receptions in Week 7 set a new Bengals franchise record. In his first two games against QB Joe Flacco, Ja’Marr Chase has at least 10 receptions. Additionally, Chase has 26 catches over the past two weeks. This is the most in his career over a two-game span. If Joe Flacco can continue to play well, the Bengals have a chance to turn their season around. Cincinnati will play the New York Jets at home in Week 8.
