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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. 

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. 

Key Storylines:

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). 

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). 

RB Josh Jacobs (76.4 PFF grade) bolsters the run game, while rookie WR Matthew Golden adds explosiveness. 

Bengals WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins could test CB Nate Hobbs (concussion protocol, limited). 

Injuries: Bengals are decimated—Burrow out three months, S Geno Stone (calf on IR), G Cordell Volson (shoulder IR). 

Packers: DT Devonte Wyatt (knee DNP), OT Anthony Belton (ankle DNP), G Aaron Banks (groin doubtful), TE Tucker Kraft (questionable), T Zach Tom (questionable). 

WR Jayden Reed remains on IR (foot/collarbone). 

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/

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