A quarterback coming to a new team and having the game of his life less than two weeks after joining the roster is a wholly unique event in the NFL. With the complexity of a playbook and the synergy needed between the wide receivers and him, it is a scenario that is impossible to anticipate.
However, that is exactly what the football world got on Thursday Night when the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Pittsburgh Steelers to the tune of 33-31. The secret ingredient for the Bengals was unquestionably their new man under center, Joe Flacco. Traded by the Cleveland Browns after they elevated Dillon Gabriel to the starting role, Flacco has made an immediate impact in Cincinnati.
After a solid first game, he had a sublime night against the Steelers. As a result, it brought back memories for the NFL fan base of another quarterback having a resurgent performance on short notice that would ultimately change the NFL as we know it.
Joe Flacco Channels Legendary TNF Moment From 3 Years Ago
As it currently stands, Baker Mayfield is near the top of the list of candidates to win the most prestigious award in the sport, the MVP. However, just two years ago, that couldn’t have been further from the truth.
Shunned by the Browns after being selected first overall in 2018, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers, where he did not climb those same heights and was eventually cut from the roster. A former Heisman Trophy winner, it seemed like his career was coming to a premature end.
Until a fateful Thursday night in December of 2022, when he was claimed by the Los Angeles Rams off waivers, Mayfield was the backup quarterback to John Wolford when they faced the Las Vegas Raiders. However, two days after joining the roster, he replaced Wolford after the first series.
The rest, as they say, is history. Down by as much as 13 in the fourth quarter, Mayfield’s heroics landed the Rams a 17-16 victory. But the biggest takeaway from the game was the final drive, a 98-yard game-winner that resulted in a Van Jefferson touchdown.
It became the longest go-ahead touchdown drive in 45 years and immediately brought Mayfield back from the dead. In subsequent years, Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht has confirmed that it was that drive and game that ultimately made them decide to sign Mayfield once Tom Brady retired.
Since then, he’s spent two full seasons with the Buccaneers, leading them to the playoffs in both years. This season, he’s taken his game up a notch, firmly placing himself in the MVP discussion for the effort.
When Flacco put together a similarly mind-blowing game against the Steelers, less than two weeks after first joining the roster, fans immediately drew the connection between the two Thursday Night Football matchups.
Throwing for 342 yards and three touchdowns, it seemed like he’d turned the clock back to his days of winning a Super Bowl MVP. What made the performance even more bizarre was his statement after the game.
Confirming his relative inexperience on the new team, he admitted, “There was a handful of plays today that I was like, ‘What is he saying?’ We have these formations that end in F, and I was not getting it.”
It only added to the insanity of the game from a quarterback who, before this game, ranked 34th on PFSN’s QB Impact. His brilliance even drew a mention from the announcers on call.
Kirk Herbstreit: “Who does this?! 10 days he’s been in this city! You know how long it takes for quarterbacks and receivers to work on timing?!… Joe Flacco is a unicorn! What is he doing out there?!” 🏈🦄🎙️ #NFL #TNF pic.twitter.com/uZc7xRKIAI
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 17, 2025
Kirk Herbstreit was left in shock as he called, “Who does this?! 10 days he’s been in this city! You know how long it takes for quarterbacks and receivers to work on timing?!… Joe Flacco is a unicorn! What is he doing out there?!”
Only Baker Mayfield did this off the street with the Rams. Connection? McVey…
— Anthony Thomas (@Anthony49823704) October 17, 2025
Others quickly pointed to the game Mayfield had. One fan wrote, “Only Baker Mayfield did this off the street with the Rams. Connection? McVay.” Others came to a similar conclusion, stating, “Baker did it with the Rams right? Joe has been a professional QB for 20 years lol”
Baker did it with the Rams right? Joe has been a professional QB for 20 years lol
— Ridiculous Cage (@starmanJ64) October 17, 2025
The victory also landed Flacco on a wholly unique list, as he became the ninth quarterback in NFL history to win a game with two different franchises in the same NFL season, with Mayfield also part of the list.
Joe Flacco is having a Baker Mayfield- Rams TNF moment. Hopefully someone gives this kid a chance.
— Matt Lively (@mattblively) October 17, 2025
One fan even had a joke ready for the performance. After Mayfield was given new life in the league after his showing with the Rams, one fan wrote for the 40-year-old Flacco, “Joe Flacco is having a Baker Mayfield- Rams TNF moment. Hopefully someone gives this kid a chance.”
With the victory, the Bengals once again have a puncher’s chance to remain in the conversation in the AFC North. However, they are going to need a lot more repeats of the performance Flacco had on Thursday to make a legitimate run, at least until Burrow comes back.
