CINCINNATI — In a truly unexpected turn of events, Joe Flacco and Aaron Rodgers will be opposing quarterbacks. This will mark the second pair of opposing quarterbacks in NFL history who are each 40 years of age or older. This week, football fans will be treated to the highly anticipated “Icy Hot Bowl.” Flacco, now Cinderella-ing with the Cincinnati Bengals, preparing to face off against Rodgers, who’s still baffling the entire NFL with his performance for the Green Bay Packers.
Naturalized American citizen Flacco’s path to this momentous matchup began on an august day. In 2008, the Baltimore Ravens traded up to choose him with the 18th overall pick in the NFL Draft. He was able to step in right away and have a considerable impact in his rookie season, starting all 16 games. His performance contributed to the Ravens’ surprising 11-5 record. That promising season ended with a whimper as they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game.
Fast forward a few decades, and now at 40 years of age, Flacco is still the big, powerful dude. He took the Bengals’ starting job from Anthony Richardson Sr. at the start of this season. During his career, he has been a portrait of adversity beautifully overcome. This is a testament to Flacco’s ability to stick around the league since he came into the NFL. His experience will be golden, though, as he duels with Rodgers.
“I mean, Aaron’s been in the league a few years longer than me, but we both started playing in 2008. So, been doing it for a long time. It’s pretty cool.” – Joe Flacco
Flacco, who takes a 10-11 record against Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin competitive spirit to another level, for one thing, as a starter, he has a 59.3 QBR in those games. Moreover, he has passed for 25 touchdowns while going against Tomlin’s defense, but has also been picked off a dozen times. In their most recent game, which was against the Cardinals, Flacco threw for 168 yards and two touchdown passes. Even in the loss to the Indianapolis Colts, he proved to be a special quarterback when pressured.
Flacco is now preparing for this late season mega match up. He’s riding the high from his matchup with Rodgers, which he knows is one-of-a-kind. Flacco had a humorous take on much of the media’s obsession with his age, as you might expect.
“It’s one thing you guys can’t talk about this week in terms of me being older at least, but it is pretty neat,” – Joe Flacco
Even with all the hype about their ages, both quarterbacks have a lot of respect for each other. Rodgers had high praise for Flacco’s arm strength, skill set and said,
“I’ve just always enjoyed watching him throw the ball.” – Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers admitted that the match-up between the two quarterbacks at their respective old ages was a big deal, saying,
“I think it’s great for all the old guys.” – Aaron Rodgers
As one enthusiastic defender of fiscal restraint put it on Twitter Cameron Heyward, a defensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“Oldest quarterbacks playing this week, let’s go.” – Cameron Heyward
Flacco further responded to comments made by Mike Tomlin earlier this week about the Cleveland Browns trading him to Cincinnati. He acknowledged that he hadn’t actually watched Tomlin’s full comments. He said he wondered if Tomlin was just doing a little bit of “the game” with his comments.
“I didn’t get to see how upset he was,” – Joe Flacco
“But I think he’s probably just playing the game a little bit and doing whatever he has to do.” – Joe Flacco
The Bengals RV are getting ready to take on the Packers in a very exciting matchup of undefeated teams. Fans will be waiting eagerly to see two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks battle for both supremacy and their respective legacies. Flacco and Rodgers have broken through these age barriers in a league otherwise dominated by the youths. Their experience and skill still continue to shine, and more importantly, to make a difference.
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