The Stone Shields Show: Cincinnati Bengals, Reds, Bearcats Daily Sports Talk

Bengals Trade Rumors On Logan Wilson, Cam Taylor-Britt & Trey Hendrickson, Billy Napier Replacements, CFB Top 10

On today's edition of The Stone Shields Show we discuss Bengals trade rumors from ESPN on Logan Wilson, Cam Taylor-Britt and Trey Hendrickson, Casey McCollister joins us to discuss the state of the Bengals organization, top Billy Napier replacements at Florida and Stone's CFB Top 10 entering Week 9.
As the 2025 NFL trade deadline approaches on November 4, the Cincinnati Bengals find themselves at a crossroads, potentially shifting from contenders to rebuilders amid a disappointing season. With a 3-5 record following their recent Thursday Night Football win, speculation swirls around key defensive players: cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, linebacker Logan Wilson, and edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. Rumors suggest the Bengals could be open to deals if losses mount, prioritizing cap flexibility for extensions like Ja'Marr Chase's while addressing defensive inconsistencies.
Trey Hendrickson, the Bengals' star pass rusher with 12 sacks last season, tops most trade candidate lists. At 30, he's requested a trade multiple times since 2024, citing contract frustrations despite his $15 million base salary in 2025. The Bengals have granted permission to seek deals, initially demanding a 2026 first-round pick plus a player, but recent reports indicate they've softened to a young contributor and a mid-round selection.  Interested teams include the Eagles, Colts, Cowboys, 49ers, Panthers, and Bears, with fan proposals envisioning swaps like Hendrickson to Philadelphia for Dallas Goedert and assets. His departure would leave a massive hole opposite Sam Hubbard, but could net draft capital for a reset.
Linebacker Logan Wilson, a steady tackler with 135 stops in 2024, has drawn quieter buzz. Recently benched for rookie Barrett Carter in Week 6, his role has sparked trade chatter. ESPN's Matt Bowen ranks him as a mid-tier candidate, noting his $6 million 2026 base makes him affordable for contenders like the Colts, who need linebacker depth. Hypothetical packages bundle him with others, such as a Colts deal for Wilson, Taylor-Britt, and Hendrickson in exchange for multiple picks. 
Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, a 2022 second-rounder known for his ball-hawking (four interceptions last year), appears in speculative trades as a high-upside piece. Ranked No. 20 on trade lists, he's eyed by teams like the Cowboys in mocks involving CeeDee Lamb or Trevon Diggs swaps. The Eagles and others view him as a gamble amid Bengals' secondary woes, especially with his recent absence due to injury
While Hendrickson's rumors dominate, Wilson and Taylor-Britt's inclusion hints at a potential fire sale if Cincinnati falters against the Jets and Bears. Bengals brass remains noncommittal, but ownership's history of frugality fuels the speculation. A trade spree could reshape the AFC North, but for now, it's all whispers until deadline day.
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Bengals Facing TRAP Game vs. Jets? NFL Week 8 Power Rankings, 2025 NBA Season Preview

On today's show we discuss whether the Bengals are facing a trap game this Sunday against the Jets, Stone has his NFL power rankings going into Week 8 and we preview the 2025 NBA season which tips off tonight.
n Sunday, October 26, the winless New York Jets (0-7) invade Paycor Stadium to face the Cincinnati Bengals (3-4) in a Week 8 AFC showdown that screams opportunity—and desperation. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on CBS, with Cincinnati favored by 6.5 points and an over/under of 44, per BetMGM odds. For the Jets, mired in last place in the AFC East and on pace for the No. 1 overall draft pick, this is a must-win to salvage their season under new coach Aaron Glenn. Their offense ranks a dismal 31st in total yards (284.1 per game), plagued by quarterback woes with Justin Fields struggling mightily—netting just minus-10 passing yards in a recent loss to Denver. Yet, New York's defense has been a revelation lately, surrendering just 13 points in back-to-back shutouts against Denver and Carolina, making them a sneaky cover candidate. Running back Breece Hall remains a bright spot, but the Jets' injury-riddled line—key pieces like Alijah Vera-Tucker (triceps, IR) and Israel Abanikanda (shoulder, IR)—leaves them vulnerable to Cincinnati's front seven. 
The Bengals, clinging to second in the AFC North behind the 4-2 Steelers, are riding high after a thrilling 33-31 Thursday night upset over Pittsburgh—their first win in four tries. Veteran Joe Flacco, freshly acquired and slotted as starter over Jake Browning, orchestrated the victory with poise, tossing TDs to Tee Higgins (96 yards, score) and Ja'Marr Chase, who etched his name in history with 6,000 career receiving yards and 50 TDs in just five seasons. Chase Brown erupted for 108 rushing yards, fueling a ground game ranked fifth league-wide (135.7 ypg). But short rest from Thursday could breed fatigue, and Cincinnati's defense, leaky at 30.6 points allowed per game, must contain Hall to avoid a trap. Key absences include TE Mike Gesicki (pectoral, IR until Week 12) and OT Cordell Volson (shoulder, IR), testing depth against the Jets' stout secondary. DE Trey Hendrickson (hip) is questionable but logged limited practice, offering hope for a pass rush boost.
Analysts give Cincinnati a 74% win probability, but the Jets' defensive grit could grind out a low-scoring affair. Expect Flacco to lean on Chase early, while New York's secondary forces turnovers. In a matchup pitting Jets' resolve against Bengals' firepower, Cincinnati should prevail 27-17, inching toward playoff contention while dooming New York deeper into despair.
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Bengals Defense Worse Than We Thought? Broncos Storm Back To Beat Giants, Chiefs Best Team In NFL?

On today's edition of The Stone Shields Show we discuss why the Bengals defense might be even worse than we thought, go around the NFL and discuss the Broncos crazy comeback win against the Giants and the Eagles bounce back win against the Vikings. Also we go around college football and break down Alabama's impressive win over Tennessee, Notre Dame's win over USC and Georgia's win over Ole Miss. 
The Cincinnati Bengals' defense has been a glaring weakness in the 2025 NFL season, exacerbating issues from their historically poor 2024 performance. Entering the year under scrutiny after ranking 25th in total yards allowed last season, the unit has regressed further, allowing 30.5 points per game compared to 25.5 in 2024. Key metrics highlight the decline: opponents average 6.1 yards per play (up from 5.4), 36.8 yards per drive (from 32.3), and 2.65 points per drive (from 2.27). Sacks have dropped to 1.57 per game from 2.11, tackles for loss to 3.14 from 4.23, and the team has forced just one fumble through seven games versus 10 last year. The defense struggles against both run (4.7 yards per rush allowed) and pass, with starting field position worsening to the 33-yard line. Youth and inexperience play a role, as the Bengals prioritize playing time for emerging talents like Myles Murphy and Shemar Stewart, leading to inconsistent pressure and blown coverages. Preseason woes, including vanilla schemes earning poor grades, foreshadowed these problems. Trading sack leader Trey Hendrickson amid contract disputes threatens to make an already bad unit "generational bad," potentially derailing playoff hopes despite a potent offense. Overall, lack of turnovers, pressure, and veteran stability has held back the team, forcing high-scoring shootouts to compete.
In a stunning Week 7 thriller on October 19, 2025, the Denver Broncos orchestrated one of the NFL's greatest comebacks, erasing a 19-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the New York Giants 33-32. Shut out through three quarters, Denver exploded for 33 points in the final frame—the most ever scored in a quarter by a team blanked earlier—setting a record for such scenarios. Quarterback Bo Nix led the charge, throwing for multiple touchdowns and engineering rapid drives that exploited Giants' fatigue and defensive lapses. Key plays included a Tracy touchdown early in the rally, followed by a barrage of scores that improved Denver's record to 5-2 under coach Sean Payton. The Broncos played with extra motivation, channeling "Mile High Magic" in a nod to franchise history. New York's collapse, marked by zero fourth-quarter points after dominating early, highlighted their inability to close out games, dropping them further in the standings. This wild finish underscored Denver's resilience and Nix's poise in high-pressure moments.
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Bengals Upset Steelers With Season Altering Victory, College Football Weekend Preview, Best Bets Of The Week

On today's edition of The Stone Shields Show we breakdown a thrilling 33-31 Bengals victory over the Steelers on Thursday Night Football. A performance where Joe Flacco and Ja'Marr Chase shined and the Bengals changed the trajectory of their season. Also we preview this week in college football and discuss LSU vs. Vanderbilt, Tennessee vs. Alabama, Ole Miss vs. Georgia and Stone has his best bets of the weekend.
Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!
In a heart-stopping AFC North showdown last night at Paycor Stadium, the Cincinnati Bengals (3-4) edged the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) 33-31, ending a four-game slide with a dramatic, last-second triumph. Joe Flacco, stepping in for an injured Joe Burrow, delivered a vintage performance, throwing for 342 yards and three touchdowns. His poise under pressure shone in the final minute, leading a surgical drive that set up Evan McPherson’s game-winning 36-yard field goal with seven seconds left.
The game was an offensive slugfest. Pittsburgh’s Aaron Rodgers, now fifth all-time in passing yards, struck early, finding Jonnu Smith for a 10-yard touchdown. The Steelers’ Pat Freiermuth dominated, hauling in four receptions for 106 yards, including a 68-yard score that gave Pittsburgh a 31-30 lead with 2:21 remaining. But Cincinnati’s defense answered, with Jordan Battle’s interception of a Rodgers deep ball to DK Metcalf shifting momentum.
Ja’Marr Chase was the Bengals’ catalyst, setting a franchise record with 16 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown, joining elite company with his second 14-catch game this season. Tee Higgins added six receptions for 96 yards and a score, while Chase Brown powered the ground game with 108 yards on 11 carries. The Bengals racked up 479 total yards, exploiting a Steelers defense that couldn’t contain Cincinnati’s playmakers late.
Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt pressured Flacco, but the Bengals’ offensive line held firm in crunch time. A controversial overturned call on a Chase touchdown kept the game tight, but Flacco’s 28-yard strike to Higgins on the final drive sealed it. Rodgers was efficient but undone by two interceptions. This electrifying win, fueled by Flacco’s heroics and Cincinnati’s relentless attack, signals the Bengals’ resurgence in a fiercely competitive division, keeping playoff dreams alive.
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Bengals vs. Steelers Preview & Injury Report, Dallas Win The Micah Parsons Trade? NFL Week 7 Betting Lines

On today's editon of The Stone Shields Show we preview the Bengals vs. Steelers Thursday Night Football matchup, discuss whether Dallas won the Micah Parsons trade and take a look at NFL betting lines for the Week 7 slate.
Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!
In a clash of AFC North titans gone awry, the surging Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) invade Paycor Stadium to face a reeling Cincinnati Bengals squad (2-4) on Thursday Night Football. What was once a marquee rivalry now feels like a tale of two trajectories: Pittsburgh's three-game win streak has vaulted them to the division lead, while Cincinnati's four straight losses—capped by a 27-18 defeat to Green Bay—have sparked desperation. Joe Burrow's toe injury sidelining him until December forced a midseason pivot, trading for veteran Joe Flacco from Cleveland. The 40-year-old gunslinger debuted last week with 219 yards and two scores, injecting life into an offense dormant under Jake Browning.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, rides Aaron Rodgers' renaissance. The 41-year-old maestro boasts a career-best 105.4 passer rating through five games, with 10 touchdowns and just three picks, slicing defenses for 1,021 yards. His rapport with DK Metcalf has been lethal—Metcalf's four straight TD catches include a scorching 80-yarder—exploiting yards after catch like no other. The Steelers' ground game, turbocharged by Arthur Smith's "Jumbo" packages featuring 290-pound TE Darnell Washington, has averaged 4.4 yards per carry against Cincy's porous 28th-ranked run D.
Cincinnati counters with firepower: Ja'Marr Chase erupted for a late TD last outing, and Flacco's familiarity with Pittsburgh—he's 11-11 lifetime against them—could neutralize Mike Tomlin's schemes. Yet injuries loom large: Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson (hip) is questionable, thinning their pass rush (just 3.7% sack rate sans him), while Steelers miss WR Calvin Austin III (shoulder) and S Miles Killebrew (knee). Betting odds tilt toward Pittsburgh as 5.5-point road favorites (O/U 44.5), with sharp money sniffing Bengals value at +225 ML.
This gerontocratic QB duel—the third in NFL history pitting 40+ starters—promises fireworks under the lights. Expect Metcalf to feast (Over 70.5 receiving yards) and Pittsburgh's D to force turnovers (Cincy leads the league with 11 giveaways). Steelers pull away late in a 27-20 thriller, solidifying North supremacy. But don't sleep on Flacco's upset magic—after all, these helmets hide Bengal stripes.
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Shemar Stewart To Play vs. Steelers, College Football Top 10, Dolphins Disaster, John Harbaugh On The Hot Seat?

On today's edition of The Stone Shields Show we discuss Shemar Stewart being cleared to play Thursday, Logan Wilson's benching and other Bengals topics going into Thursday Night Football. Also, Stone has his college football Top 10 going into Week 8, disaster for Mike McDaniel in Miami and is John Harbaugh on the hot seat?
Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!
On October 16, 2025, Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati will host a pivotal AFC North showdown as the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) invade the reeling Cincinnati Bengals (2-4) for Thursday Night Football. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET, exclusively on Prime Video. With the Steelers riding a three-game win streak and eyeing sole possession of the division lead, this matchup pits a surging defense against a Bengals squad desperate to halt a brutal four-game skid.
The narrative couldn't be more dramatic: a battle of grizzled quarterbacks. Pittsburgh's Aaron Rodgers, 41 and thriving in his one-year Black-and-Gold stint, has injected precision into an offense that's clicked since his offseason arrival. The Steelers' attack averages 22.7 points over its last three games, bolstered by a line allowing just nine sacks. Rodgers faces a Bengals defense ranked near the bottom in QB pressure and sacks, ripe for exploitation. Meanwhile, Cincinnati turns to 40-year-old Joe Flacco, freshly traded from Cleveland, after Joe Burrow's season-ending Grade 3 turf toe surgery. Flacco's debut flop—a 27-18 loss to Green Bay—exposed vulnerabilities, but with Ja'Marr Chase) and Tee Higgins, the passing game could spark.
Pittsburgh's defense, a steel wall allowing 14.7 points per game lately, looms large. T.J. Watt (3.5 sacks) and Nick Herbig (4.5 sacks) terrorize from the edge, while Patrick Queen leads with 44 tackles. The Bengals' patchwork offensive line, plagued by injuries to guards Dylan Fairchild (knee) and Lucas Patrick (calf), will struggle to protect Flacco. Cincinnati's run game, led by Chase Brown, must grind to stay afloat.
Historically, the Steelers dominate, leading 71-40 all-time and 3-2 in the last five, outscoring Cincinnati by 26 points in those tilts. They've covered in five of six recent meetings, fueling their -5.5 spread favoritism (O/U 42.5). Yet, the Bengals boast a 4-1 home record against AFC foes, hinting at upset potential.
This rivalry, born in the 1970s merger madness, always delivers grit. Expect a low-scoring affair—Pittsburgh's five straight unders vs. Cincy scream caution. The Steelers' sharpness should prevail, but Flacco's veteran guile might force a nail-biter. In the end, Pittsburgh pulls away 24-17, extending Cincy's woes while solidifying divisional supremacy.
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Bengals Trade Rumors On Trey Hendrickson, NFL Week 7 Power Rankings, James Franklin Replacements At Penn State

Stone breaks down the latest Trey Hendrickson trade rumors after comments from Dianna Russini and Boomer Esiason and explains whether he would move Hendrickson or not. Also, we have NFL power rankings going into Week 7 and the top James Franklin replacements at Penn State after he was fired on Sunday.
Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!
The Cincinnati Bengals' potential trade of star defensive end Trey Hendrickson has gained traction following recent comments from NFL insiders and former players. Hendrickson, a three-time Pro Bowler who led the team with 17.5 sacks in 2024, has been at the center of speculation amid contract disputes and the Bengals' underwhelming 2025 season.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic first reported in March 2025 that the Bengals had granted Hendrickson permission to seek a trade, citing his desire for long-term security beyond his current deal, which runs through 2025 with a $15 million base salary. She noted significant interest from teams like the Washington Commanders, with Cincinnati demanding "significant trade compensation" in return. By August, Russini updated that the Bengals were actively engaged in discussions for weeks, not just seeking draft picks but also targeting defensive players to bolster their roster. One source told her that an earlier spring trade might have yielded a higher draft pick, complicated by salary cap issues for suitors. This comes as the Bengals prioritize extensions for Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, potentially squeezing Hendrickson's negotiations.
Adding fuel, former Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason, on the October 13, 2025, episode of the "Up & Adams" show, urged the team to trade Hendrickson if he's healthy, emphasizing the need for draft capital to rebuild. "If he's healthy, I would trade him. If you could get some quality draft picks back, 'cause that's how they're gonna have to rebuild their team," Esiason said. His comments align with Cincinnati's struggles, including Joe Burrow's turf toe injury in September, which has derailed their playoff hopes and shifted focus to future assets.
A Hendrickson trade could net a first-round pick or equivalent, given his elite pass-rushing skills (12.5 sacks through Week 6 in 2025). Potential suitors include contenders like the San Francisco 49ers (post-Nick Bosa injury) or Carolina Panthers. However, Bengals GM Duke Tobin has historically resisted midseason deals, preferring to retain core talent. With the November 4 trade deadline looming, Hendrickson's situation remains fluid, balancing his production against team finances and rebuild needs. If moved, it signals a pivot toward youth, but keeping him could stabilize a defense ranked 22nd in pressures. Either way, these insider takes highlight Cincinnati's crossroads.
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Bengals Optimism Despite 4th Straight Loss? Steelers Win Again, Chiefs Beat Lions, Indiana Upsets Oregon, Ohio State Rolls

On today's edition of The Stone Shields Show, we discuss the Bengals' 4th straight loss, but why things could be heading in the right direction leading up to Thursday Night Football against the Steelers. Also, Stone goes around the NFL and around College Football discussing the biggest games of the weekend, including the Chiefs beating the Lions, Indiana upsetting Oregon and Alabama winning their third straight game against top 16 teams.
Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!
In a chilly Lambeau Field showdown that felt like a playoff prelude, the Cincinnati Bengals' desperate bid for redemption ended in frustration, falling 27-18 to a resilient Green Bay Packers squad on October 12, 2025. Joe Flacco's Bengals debut—his sixth NFL team after a midweek trade from Cleveland—sparked a valiant second-half rally, but it couldn't overcome a dismal first-half blackout, marking Cincinnati's fourth straight loss and dropping them to 2-4.
The Bengals' offense slumbered through the opening act, mustering just 21 net yards and one first down across four puny drives. Flacco, the 40-year-old veteran fresh off a Browns upset over these same Packers three weeks prior, looked rusty: short completions to Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins yielded nothing. Green Bay's defense, led by a suffocating front that limited Cincinnati to zero points, feasted. Jordan Love methodically carved up the Bengals secondary, connecting with Tucker Kraft for a 24-yard score and setting up Josh Jacobs' first touchdown burst. Jacobs, battling illness, shrugged it off for a 14-yard plunge, capping a 10-0 halftime bulge. Kicker Evan McPherson's 67-yard hail mary sailed short, sealing the half's futility.
Awakening post-intermission, Flacco channeled his Super Bowl grit, going 29-of-45 for 219 yards and two touchdowns. A gritty 11-play drive chewed clock before Chase's 12-yard grab narrowed the lead. Ultimately Al Golden's defense couldn't get a crucial stop in the second half which ended up losing the game for Cincinnati.
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Bengals Keys To Victory vs. Packers, Jaxson Dart Coming Out Party, CFB Weekend Preview Ft. Alabama vs. Missouri & Indiana vs. Oregon, Best Bets Of The Weekend

On today's editon of The Stone Shields Show we break down all the things that need to go right for the Bengals for them to pull off the upset in Green Bay, discuss Jaxson Dart's amazing performance on Thursday Night Football, CFB Weekend Preview ft. Alabama vs. Missouri, Indiana vs. Oregon, Ohio State vs. Illinois, Florida vs. Texas A&M and Texas vs. Oklahoma and Stone's Best Bets Of The Weekend.
Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!
As the crisp October air sweeps through Lambeau Field, the Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) roll into Green Bay to face the Packers (5-1) in a Week 7 showdown that promises fireworks. This AFC-NFC crossover pits Joe Burrow's surgical precision against Jordan Love's rising star, with playoff implications simmering beneath the surface.
For the Bengals, it's redemption time. After a heartbreaking 0-2 start marred by injuries, Burrow has engineered a three-game win streak, dissecting defenses with 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. Tee Higgins is back, forming a lethal duo with Ja'Marr Chase, who leads the league in receiving yards. The ground game? Joe Mixon is a beast, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Defensively, Lou Anarumo's unit has stiffened, holding opponents to under 20 points in their last three wins. But the secondary remains vulnerable—watch for Love to exploit that with his quick release.
The Packers, meanwhile, are the NFL's hottest team, riding a five-game heater fueled by Love's poise and a balanced attack. He's thrown for 1,800 yards with just three picks, spreading the ball to Christian Watson's deep threats and Jayden Reed's slot magic. Aaron Jones is gashing runs at 4.8 yards per pop, while the O-line, anchored by David Bakhtiari's return, gives Love clean pockets. Green Bay's defense? Elite. Jaire Alexander locks down receivers, and Rashan Gary's pass rush has 12 sacks already. They feast on turnovers, forcing eight in their streak.
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Thursday Night Football, Bengals vs. Packers, Blue Jays Beat Yankees, Schwarber To Cincy + Can Ohio State Repeat?

On today's edition of The Stone Shields Show we discuss Eagles vs. Giants, Bengals vs. Packers, the Blue Jays beating the Yankees, Kyle Schwarber to Cincinnati and whether Ohio State can repeat as National Champions.
Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!
In a stunning intra-division swap, the Cincinnati Bengals acquired veteran quarterback Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns on October 7, 2025—the first trade between the AFC North rivals since the Browns' 1999 return. The deal cost Cincinnati a 2026 fifth-round pick, while netting them Flacco and a 2026 sixth-rounder from Detroit. This move comes amid a quarterback quandary: franchise star Joe Burrow has been sidelined since Week 2 with turf toe, projected to miss at least eight weeks, leaving the Bengals (2-3) mired in a three-game skid.
Backup Jake Browning's tenure has been disastrous, with eight interceptions against six touchdowns, tanking an offense that ranks last in yards (228.6 per game) and fourth-worst in scoring (17.0 points). Weapons like Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins have been neutralized, as Browning's 64.5% completion rate and turnover woes have stifled Cincinnati's explosiveness. Coach Zac Taylor, noncommittal post a 37-24 loss to Detroit, signaled urgency ahead of Thursday's clash with Pittsburgh. Flacco, 40 and an 18-year vet, steps in as the presumptive starter, released backups Brett Rypien and Mike White to clear space.
Why Flacco? His 2023 Comeback Player of the Year magic—leading the Browns to the playoffs—lingers, despite a rocky 2025 (1-3, 58.1% completion, 815 yards, 2 TDs, 6 INTs). Benchings for rookie Dillon Gabriel made him expendable in Cleveland, where Deshaun Watson's Achilles recovery looms. Flacco's AFC North savvy shines: 11 career wins over the Steelers, a Week 3 Browns victory versus Green Bay (Cincinnati's Week 6 foe). His under-center snaps could revive play-action, contrasting Taylor's shotgun-heavy scheme tailored for Burrow.
Skeptics question Flacco's arm fading, but at a bargain price, it's low-risk salvation. A 5-4 stretch under Flacco could position the Bengals at 7-7 for Burrow's potential December return, vaulting them into the playoff mix in a muddled division (Steelers lead at 3-1). Chase tweeted excitement: "Old heads know how to win." If Flacco channels his Super Bowl grit, this trade could rewrite Cincinnati's season from farce to redemption. Otherwise, it's another Bengals heartbreak in a rivalry-rich North.
Packers vs. Bengals: Week 6 PreviewThe Green Bay Packers (2-1-1) host the reeling Cincinnati Bengals (2-3) at Lambeau Field on Sunday, Oct. 12, at 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS). Coming off a Week 5 bye, Green Bay enters as a 14.5-point favorite, with the total at 46.5. azcentral.com
This Lambeau clash pits a rested Packers squad against a Bengals team desperate for stability after Joe Burrow's season-ending Grade 3 turf toe surgery. espn.com
Key Storylines:Cincinnati's offense has cratered without Burrow, ranking last in success rate (36.1%) and allowing the third-most passing yards (1,295). sharpfootballanalysis.com
Veteran Joe Flacco, acquired midweek from Cleveland, makes his Bengals debut, but faces a Packers secondary yielding just 205.8 passing yards per game (11th-fewest). bengals.com
Green Bay's Jordan Love, fresh off torching Dallas for 319 yards in a 40-40 tie, should exploit Cincy's porous pass defense (27th in pressure rate). si.com
RB Josh Jacobs (76.4 PFF grade) bolsters the run game, while rookie WR Matthew Golden adds explosiveness. bengals.com
Bengals WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins could test CB Nate Hobbs (concussion protocol, limited). acmepackingcompany.com
Injuries: Bengals are decimated—Burrow out three months, S Geno Stone (calf on IR), G Cordell Volson (shoulder IR). espn.com
Packers: DT Devonte Wyatt (knee DNP), OT Anthony Belton (ankle DNP), G Aaron Banks (groin doubtful), TE Tucker Kraft (questionable), T Zach Tom (questionable). packers.com
WR Jayden Reed remains on IR (foot/collarbone). 
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