JOE FLACCO’S SECOND CHANCE: CAN HE STUN GREEN BAY AGAIN—THIS TIME IN BENGALS COLORS?

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The script feels strangely familiar. Only three weeks ago, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco engineered an upset win over the Green Bay Packers while leading the Cleveland Browns. Now, in a stunning twist, he’ll try to do it again—this time wearing Cincinnati Bengals orange and black.

The 39-year-old former Super Bowl MVP has spent his career defying odds and rewriting expectations. On Sunday, he’ll get another shot at making NFL history: becoming the only quarterback this season to defeat the same opponent twice, while leading two different teams.

A Shocking Midseason Turn

When Cincinnati announced Flacco’s signing earlier this week, the football world did a double take. The Bengals’ season has been a rollercoaster of injuries, inconsistent offense, and defensive breakdowns. With starting quarterback Joe Burrow sidelined, the team needed both stability and leadership.

Flacco, who just weeks earlier had delivered a gritty performance against the Packers for Cleveland, seemed like an unlikely but logical choice. He’s been here before — the veteran emergency starter, the quiet competitor who walks into chaos and somehow brings calm.

“Joe’s seen it all,” said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. “We need that poise right now. He doesn’t flinch, and that’s exactly what this locker room needs.”

The Odds Are Against Him — Again

According to BetMGM, the Bengals enter Sunday’s matchup as heavy underdogs. In fact, Cincinnati hasn’t faced such long odds since 2020, when they stunned the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 as 14½-point underdogs.

History, however, has a funny way of repeating itself — and Flacco loves a good upset story.

Still, the challenges ahead are enormous. The Bengals’ offensive line has been shaky all season, surrendering 15 sacks — tied for ninth-most in the league — and allowing a 38.1% pressure rate, eighth-worst in the NFL.

Both offensive tackles, Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims, rank among the top 12 in pressures allowed. For a quarterback known more for pocket passing than mobility, that’s a dangerous combination.

Flacco already knows what that feels like. In the Browns’ win over Green Bay, he was sacked twice and hit repeatedly. “They bring pressure from everywhere,” Flacco admitted postgame. “You’ve got to keep your eyes downfield and trust your protection — even when it’s breaking.”

Green Bay’s Defensive Challenge

The Packers’ defense, led by Micah Parsons, remains one of the most aggressive in the NFC. Parsons, who ranks fourth in the league with 26 quarterback pressures, has recorded eight or more pressures in two separate games this season.

If the Bengals’ offensive line doesn’t tighten up quickly, Flacco could find himself under siege once again. Yet, his reputation for standing tall in collapsing pockets may be exactly what keeps Cincinnati’s hopes alive.

“Joe’s not going to run away from anyone,” joked Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, “but he’ll stand in there and give us a chance. That’s all we need.”

Cincinnati’s Defense on the Brink

While much of the attention is on Flacco’s debut, the Bengals’ defense may hold the real key to Sunday’s outcome. The unit has been bleeding yards and points at an alarming rate:

• 30th in total defense (391.2 yards per game)

• 29th against the pass (259 yards per game)

• 31.2 points allowed per game, the third-worst mark in the league

Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo called the current state of play “unacceptable” and vowed that changes were coming. “We’ve lost our edge,” he said. “This week, we get it back — or we don’t deserve to win.”

Facing Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love, who’s found rhythm after early-season struggles, the Bengals will need to generate turnovers to keep things close. They’ve forced just seven takeaways through five games, a number Taylor described as “way too low for who we are.”

Flacco’s Legacy — and One More Shot

For Flacco, Sunday’s matchup is more than just another start — it’s a chance to prove he still belongs. Once left for NFL obscurity, the veteran has quietly built a reputation as one of the league’s best stopgap solutions: calm, confident, and deadly accurate when protected.

“I don’t look at it like proving anything to anybody,” Flacco told reporters Friday. “I just love to compete. If I get another chance to play, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got — same as I always have.”

Those who’ve followed his career know better. Every time Flacco’s counted out, he finds a way to remind people why he once held the Lombardi Trophy.

And this time, the stakes are uniquely poetic — a chance to beat the same Packers defense twice in one season, for two different franchises.

What to Expect Sunday

If Flacco can control the game tempo, avoid turnovers, and keep the Bengals’ offense balanced through quick passes to Chase and Tee Higgins, Cincinnati could make this a fight. But if Green Bay’s front seven gets rolling early, it could be a long night.

Either way, all eyes will be on the veteran quarterback who refuses to fade quietly.

“Winning follows guys who never stop believing,” Taylor said. “Joe’s one of those guys. And if there’s even a sliver of a chance, he’ll find it.”