It’s been forever since a night like that in Cincinnati. For two long seasons, it’s felt like nothing but frustration, disappointment, and what-ifs. Every week it was something — Burrow hurt, the defense collapsing, the offense looking lost. The excitement that once defined this team had flatlined.
But last night? That spark came back to life.
The last time I remember feeling this good was when the Bengals beat the Bills 24–18 in the “Stripe the Jungle” game at Paycor. Burrow threw for 350 yards and 2 touchdowns – the Super Bowl was in the plans. That night had everything — energy, electricity, belief. The city felt alive. Since then, it’s been nothing but heartbreak and apathy.
Until Joe Flacco walked into town.
Let’s get something straight: I know this isn’t a Super Bowl team. The defense is still awful — I counted at least 20 missed tackles last night. They couldn’t stop a nosebleed if their season depended on it. But for the first time in two years, this team is fun to watch again.
Joe fucking Flacco — a guy who was sitting at home not long ago, a guy the Browns called “washed” and “finished” (myself included) — came out and threw for 342 yards and 3 touchdowns against one of the NFL’s top defenses. He stood in the pocket, took hits, and delivered strikes. The man looked like he hadn’t aged a day.
Flacco has given this team something it’s desperately needed: hope.
And right beside him, Ja’Marr Chase reminded everyone why he’s the best wide receiver in football. Forget Justin Jefferson. Forget CeeDee Lamb. Forget A.J. Brown. Chase caught 16 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown — and he made it look easy. Every time the Bengals needed a play, #1 was there. He dominated from start to finish and looked completely unstoppable.
This offense had swagger again. The energy in Paycor was real. You could feel it through the screen. For the first time in two years, the Bengals weren’t just going through the motions — they were playing with pride.
Now let’s talk about the best part: the division.
Because right now, Bengals fans get to sit back, crack a beer, and laugh at the Browns and Steelers.
The Bengals just beat the 4–1 Steelers on primetime — under the lights, with the world watching. Pittsburgh fans had been chirping all week about how “Cincy’s finished.” Not so much now. And the Browns? Oh, this is beautiful.
Cleveland tossed Joe Flacco off the roadside. They said he was done, couldn’t play, couldn’t move, couldn’t win. The Bengals picked him up, threw him in stripes, and watched him absolutely torch one of the NFL’s “top defenses.” Three touchdowns. 342 yards. The same defense that Browns fans swear by got diced up by their own ex-QB. You can’t make that up.
This is poetic.
Now look — I’m not blind. The defense is still terrible. Tackling is optional. They probably aren’t making the playoffs. But for the first time in a long time, I don’t even care. I finally enjoyed watching Bengals football again. I finally felt proud to wear the orange and black.
This fan base has been through hell lately. Burrow’s injury. Trey Hendrickson’s hold in. A defense that can’t stop anyone. But nights like last night remind you why you keep coming back — because the Bengals, even when broken, still have that fire.
No, this team probably won’t make a deep playoff run. But you can’t fake hope, and Joe Flacco brought it back to Cincinnati.
After two miserable seasons, that alone feels like a championship.
So yeah — the defense stinks, the playoff odds are slim, and this season has been chaos. But today?
Today it feels damn good to be a Bengals fan again. 🐅
