Joe Flacco SHINES as the Bengals dominate those sorry sacks of Steelers from Pittsburgh. 

The Bengals drop another game on the road to the Packers. But hey! They looked a bit better, so maybe this season isn't completely dead just yet. 

Cincinnati Bengals are trading for Joe Flacco! The Chatterbox Bengals crew breaks down the news.

The Cincinnati Bengals’ decision to trade for Joe Flacco in October 2025 sent shockwaves through the AFC North, a desperate move to salvage a season teetering on the brink. With star quarterback Joe Burrow sidelined since Week 2 with a toe injury, the Bengals’ offense has collapsed, and backup Jake Browning’s abysmal performances forced the front office’s hand. The trade, a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for Flacco and a sixth-rounder, is a low-risk swing for a franchise staring down a brutal schedule, including a looming Thursday night clash with the Steelers.

Flacco, now 40, brings a grizzled veteran presence to a locker room reeling from three straight blowout losses. Browning’s numbers tell a grim story: 64.5% completion for 757 yards, six touchdowns, and eight interceptions, with the offense failing to score over 24 points in any game without Burrow. The Bengals’ once-explosive attack, built around Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, has sputtered, crippled by 12 sacks allowed in three weeks. Flacco, a former Super Bowl MVP, offers a steady hand and a live arm, even if his 2025 stint in Cleveland was rocky—58.1% completion for 815 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions in four starts before being benched for a rookie. Still, his game-winning drive against Green Bay in Week 3 showed he can still deliver in clutch moments.

Head coach Zac Taylor, under fire for the team’s slide, called Flacco a “pro’s pro” whose leadership and quick grasp of the playbook could spark a turnaround. At a prorated $3.5 million salary, Flacco is a cost-effective stopgap, especially with Burrow’s massive $55 million-per-year deal looming large. The hope is Flacco can stabilize the pocket, get the ball to Chase and Higgins, and keep Cincinnati competitive until Burrow returns, potentially in November. A favorable upcoming stretch—games against the Giants and Commanders—offers a chance to right the ship.

Fans, however, are skeptical, their frustration palpable on social media. The Bengals’ injury curse feels like a cruel joke, and trading for another aging quarterback named Joe has sparked dark humor. Some see Flacco as a placeholder who can’t replicate Burrow’s magic; others fear he’s a Band-Aid on a broken roster. Critics point to his Cleveland struggles, arguing his interception-prone play and limited mobility won’t survive behind Cincinnati’s porous offensive line. Yet, supporters counter that Flacco’s experience in high-pressure situations could be the jolt this team needs to avoid a lost season.

The trade’s success hinges on Flacco’s ability to adapt quickly and Taylor’s willingness to tailor the offense to his strengths—quick reads and deep shots. If Flacco can channel his 2012 Ravens form, even briefly, the Bengals might steal a few wins and stay in the playoff hunt. If not, this move could be another chapter in Cincinnati’s long history of quarterback woes, leaving fans dreaming of Burrow’s return while cursing the present. For now, all eyes are on Flacco as he steps into the Bengals’ jungle.

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Craig Sandlin and Mike Hart react to an another ugly loss for the Cincinnati Bengals. They talk about Jake Browning struggles and why Cincinnati needs to bench him now to have any chance this season. They talk about some positives from the defense and look ahead to next week's matchup vs the Green Bay Packers.

OTHER CHATTERBOX PROGRAMING:

Off The Bench: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/off-the-bench-by-chatterbox-sports/id1643010062 

Chatterbox Bengals: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chatterbox-bengals-a-cincinnati-bengals-nfl-podcast/id1652732141 

The Stone Shields Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/west-4th-and-long/id1828384424 

The Flyin Lion (FC Cincinnati): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-flyin-lion-fc-cincinnati-podcast/id1701368522 

Chatterbox Reds: https://linktr.ee/chatterboxreds 

513 Golf: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjPJjEFaBD7VUSfdVvGjbr1_CmCepLWpr

The Cincinnati Bengals just aren't very good are they? 

What a brutal day in Cincinnati football history! In a matchup that had all the makings of a gritty NFC North vs. AFC North showdown, the Minnesota Vikings turned U.S. Bank Stadium into a house of horrors for the visiting Bengals, delivering a 48-10 thrashing that stands as the worst defeat in franchise history. With a 38-point margin eclipsing any previous low (previously 37 points on four occasions), this Week 3 disaster leaves the Bengals at 1-2, licking their wounds and desperately missing Joe Burrow. If you're a Who Dey fan, grab the tissues—this highlight reel captures every gut punch, from defensive pick-sixes to fumble-induced nightmares. The game kicked off with high hopes for Cincinnati, riding a 2-1 start but reeling from Burrow's season-altering toe surgery that sidelined their star QB for at least three months. Enter Jake Browning, the familiar face who once screamed "They never should've cut me!" after a 27-24 OT upset over these same Vikings in 2023. But karma—or perhaps just superior talent—had other plans. Browning, starting his second stint as the emergency signal-caller, looked rattled from the jump, finishing 14-of-28 for 173 yards, one TD, and two costly interceptions. His first pick, snagged by Vikings CB Isaiah Rodgers and returned 87 yards for a pick-six, set the tone just minutes into the first quarter, putting Minnesota up 7-0 and silencing the traveling Bengal faithful. As the highlights roll, you'll see how the Vikings' defense feasted on Cincinnati's turnover-prone offense. The Bengals coughed up the ball five times total—three fumbles lost and two INTs—turning potential drives into purple-and-gold points. Rodgers, in a performance for the ages, etched his name in NFL lore as the first player ever to notch a pick-6, a fumble-return TD, and two forced fumbles in a single game. His second score came on a 66-yard fumble return off TE Noah Fant's strip-sack in the second quarter, ballooning the lead to 24-3. And don't sleep on that third forced fumble—he jarred the ball loose from WR Ja'Marr Chase's hands, leading to another Vikings recovery. Chase, normally a matchup nightmare, was held to just 62 yards on five catches, a far cry from his Burrow-fueled explosions. On the flip side, Carson Wentz's debut under center for Minnesota (now 2-1 after J.J. McCarthy's ankle sprain) was a revelation. The veteran went 18-of-25 for 248 yards and three TDs, spreading the ball to T.J. Hockenson (5 rec, 78 yds, 1 TD) and a breakout Jordan Addison (6 rec, 102 yds). Wentz's surgical 5-yard dart to Hockenson in the fourth quarter pushed the score to 48-7, a dagger that had Vikings fans chanting for the backup. But the ground game stole the show: RB Jordan Mason bulldozed for 116 yards and two rushing TDs on 16 carries, including a 22-yard scamper that capped a 75-yard drive. The Vikings' O-line, anchored by Christian Darrisaw, gave Wentz all day, amassing 185 rushing yards as a team—exploiting a Bengals run D that entered the game allowing a league-worst 2.4 yards per carry? Wait, no—that was Cincy's offense struggling on the ground. Irony at its finest. Defensively, Brian Flores' Vikings unit was a swarm, holding Browning's crew to 10 points while forcing those five turnovers. The secondary, led by Rodgers' heroics, blanketed Chase and Tee Higgins (3 rec, 41 yds), and the front seven stuffed the run for just 52 yards. For the Bengals, it wasn't all doom—TE Drew Sample hauled in a 12-yard TD from Browning in the fourth for their lone score, and the D snagged a late INT from Wentz. But penalties like Dax Hill's illegal block (15 yards) and a too-many-men flag only compounded the misery. Samaje Perine exited early with a thumb injury after fumbling, and Fant entered concussion protocol post-strip. Relive the agony (or glory, Vikings fans) with these timestamped highlights: 0:00 - Rodgers' 87-yard pick-six; 2:15 - Mason's first TD rumble; 5:30 - Fant fumble return for six; 8:45 - Reichard's record 62-yard FG at halftime (31-3 lead); 12:20 - Hockenson's TD seal; 15:10 - Sample's consolation score. Post-game reactions from Zac Taylor (stoic presser on Burrow's void) and Kevin O'Connell (praising Wentz's poise) included. This loss drops Cincinnati into a tie atop the AFC North but exposes glaring holes without Burrow—turnover differential now -4, time of possession a dismal 24:18. Can Browning rally them against the Titans next? Vikings, meanwhile, surge with Wentz balling out. Drop your hot takes in the comments: Was this Burrow's absence or Flores' scheme? Bengals resilient or Vikings dominant? Smash like if you're #WhoDey, subscribe for weekly NFL breakdowns, and hit notifications for Burrow injury updates. Who's winning the NFC North rematch in December?

Craig Sandlin breaks down the Cincinnati Bengals' Week 3 showdown with the Minnesota Vikings and makes the case for believing in Jake Browning. In under 10 minutes, Craig gives you everything you need to know heading into Sunday’s game — key storylines, matchups to watch, and more. Plus, hear sound bites from Josh Newton, Ja’Marr Chase, and Justin Jefferson.

OTHER CHATTERBOX PROGRAMING:

Off The Bench: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/off-the-bench-by-chatterbox-sports/id1643010062 

Chatterbox Reds: https://linktr.ee/chatterboxreds 

The Stone Shields Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/west-4th-and-long/id1828384424 

The Flyin Lion (FC Cincinnati): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-flyin-lion-fc-cincinnati-podcast/id1701368522 

Chatterbox Bearcats: https://chatterboxbearcats.podbean.com/ 

513 Golf: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjPJjEFaBD7VUSfdVvGjbr1_CmCepLWpr 

ALL CHATTERBOX LINKS: https://linktr.ee/chatterboxsports 

Joe Burrow goes down due to injury but defy everybody but coming back to beat the Jaguars. Jake Browning turns the ball over three times but scores the game winning touchdown. 

Craig Sandlin previews the Week 2 NFL matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Jacksonville Jaguars. He recaps the Bengals ugly win against the Browns then discusses the news of the week including Cam Taylor-Britt taking accountability for his performance against the Browns. Then Craig looks ahead to the Jaguars matchup with focus on Travis Hunter, Brian Thomas Jr, and the Jaguars running game.

Mike Hart and Craig Sandlin break down the Bengals UGLY win over the Browns... But they won.