The football gods have a sense of humor. On Thursday Night Football, the NFL will get something few ever expected — a classic melee between new Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Flacco and Pittsburgh Steelers‘ Aaron Rodgers — two forty-somethings with more combined passing yards than the population of some towns.
And leave it to Pittsburgh’s veteran stalwart Cam Heyward to give it the nickname we didn’t know we needed.
“Icy Hot Bowl,” the Steelers‘ 15-year DT yelled with a grin as Rodgers began his weekly press session, drawing laughter from reporters and the quarterback himself.
Rodgers shook his head, smiling as he adjusted his mic, and responded in front of the eager crowd. “I think it’s great for all the old guys,” the four-time MVP said.
It was a moment that captured what makes this matchup so strangely fun: two legendary quarterbacks defying the clock, still finding ways to stay relevant in a league that moves faster every year.
The NFL’s Unexpected Geriatric Showdown
Rodgers vs. Flacco isn’t what anyone had circled on the calendar back in August (at least not a matchup in which Flacco would be clad in Cincy gear, rather than Cleveland Browns or Baltimore Ravens attire). One was rehabbing from a torn Achilles, the other was mentoring rookies in Northeast Ohio.
Yet somehow, both are back in the spotlight — Rodgers leading a 4-1 Steelers team, and Flacco suddenly starting for the Bengals after a surprise trade from the Cleveland Browns just seven days ago.
When Cincinnati acquired Flacco, it was out of desperation. The Bengals had lost three straight under Jake Browning, their playoff hopes fading as turnovers piled up. Enter Flacco, who tossed 219 yards and two touchdowns against the Packers with less than a week to practice the Bengals’ system.
Now, he’ll face Rodgers — the man who’s defined consistency and longevity for nearly two decades. Between them, they’ve combined for over 110,000 passing yards and more playoff experience than most active rosters.
The novelty isn’t lost on Rodgers.
Flacco Will Be Tested In Second Bengals Game
The Bengals‘ lost hope has been restored by Flacco in just one appearance. While the team may have fallen to the Green Bay Packers 27-18 last Sunday, TNF marks another improbable stop in a career that’s refused to fade quietly.
Cincinnati’s locker room agrees. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, who’ve struggled for consistent success thus far in 2025, suddenly find themselves paired with one of the league’s most experienced deep-ball throwers.
So yes, call it what you want — the “Icy Hot Bowl,” the “Unc Bowl,” or simply a nostalgic treat for fans who grew up watching these two quarterbacks carve up defenses in their primes.
What it really is, though, is a reminder that experience still matters.
Rodgers and Flacco may not move like they used to, but they still know how to control a game. They still know how to read a defense, change protections, and deliver a throw under pressure.
For Rodgers, it’s about sustaining greatness. For Flacco, it’s about proving there’s still gas in the tank.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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