On Thursday Night Football in Week 7, the Bengals hosted the Steelers. It was their first of two meetings in 2025. Additionally, it was Cincinnati’s second game with Joe Flacco as the starter.
The Bengals traded with the Cleveland Browns on October 7. Just 10 days later, Flacco led Cincinnati to a huge win over TNF vs. the 4-1 Steelers. It was another standout performance for Flacco, who passed for 342 yards and threw three touchdown passes. Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase was targeted by Flacco 23 times. He finished the game with 16 receptions for 161 yards and one touchdown. His 16 receptions are a new franchise record for most catches in a single game.
Despite no Joe Burrow, the Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase is still setting franchise records
In just his second game with QB Joe Flacco, Ja’Marr Chase set a Bengals single-game record: pic.twitter.com/VJ9vygb7xI
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 17, 2025
Cincinnati’s offense struggled when Joe Burrow went down. Jake Browning had proven himself to be a capable backup in the past. However, he did not meet that standard in 2025. After a 2-0 start, the Bengals lost three straight games started by Jake Browning. Before their Week 6 matchup, the Bengals made an attempt to save their season. They made an intra-division trade with the Cleveland Browns to acquire Joe Flacco.
They lost that first game against the Packers in Week 6. Joe Flacco had just days to adjust to his new team. Additionally, the Bengals had a quick turnaround in Week 7. They played on TNF vs. the Steelers. Cincinnati came into the game 2-4 and the Steelers were 4-1. Even though Pittsburgh was favored, the Bengals fought for the win. Kicker Evan McPherson hit a 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 3 players in NFL history with 6,000+ rec yards and 50+ rec TD in their first 5 career seasons ✅@Real10jayy__ | #WieDey pic.twitter.com/1Udp3mpVEk
— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) October 17, 2025
Veteran QB Joe Flacco gave life to the Bengals’ offense in Week 7. For the first time all season, a QB on their roster passed for over 300 yards. Joe Flacco was 31-47 on TNF for 342 passing yards and three touchdowns. 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 a touchdown.
Chase’s 16 receptions in Week 7 were a new franchise record for the Bengals. In his first two games with Joe Flacco at QB, Ja’Marr Chase has had at least 10 receptions. Additionally, Chase has made 26 catches over the past two weeks. That’s the most of his career in a two-game span. If Joe Flacco can continue to play well, the Bengals will have a chance to turn their season around. Cincinnati is at home in Week 8 to take on the New York Jets.
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