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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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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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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. 

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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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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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. 

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). 

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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.

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Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!

The Cincinnati Bengals' 2025 season, once brimming with Super Bowl whispers, has devolved into a sobering 2-3 skid, capped by a humiliating 37-24 home loss to the Detroit Lions on October 5. Jake Browning, thrust into the starting role after Joe Burrow's turf toe surgery sidelined the star QB for months, engineered a late rally with three fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. But it was too little, too late—Detroit's backfield duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery carved up the Bengals' defense for 14 combined scores, tying an NFL record and exposing Cincy's porous run D, which has surrendered 150+ yards in each of the last three defeats.

Over the past trio of games, the Bengals have been outscored 113-37, their offense sputtering at a league-worst 17 points per game without Burrow's magic. Browning's eight picks this season scream turnover roulette, while the once-vaunted pass rush—led by Trey Hendrickson—has tallied just five sacks since Week 2. Fans, donning paper bags at Paycor Stadium, are left questioning Zac Taylor's schemes amid a franchise-record futility streak.

Now, eyes turn to a daunting Week 6 road tilt against the Green Bay Packers on October 12 at Lambeau Field. Green Bay (2-1-1) enters post-bye, fresh and ferocious, with Jordan Love slinging eight TDs against one INT in four games. Their ground game, powered by Josh Jacobs' 1,300+ yards from a year ago, could feast on Cincy's leaky front. Oddsmakers peg the Pack as 14.5-point favorites, predicting a Bengals upset probability under 40%. Yet, in the shadow of Burrow's eventual return, this could be the grit-check that reignites Bengal Nation—or buries their playoff hopes deeper. Resilience or rout? Lambeau will tell.

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Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!

In a game that started as a nightmare and ended in futile desperation, the Cincinnati Bengals fell 37-24 to the Detroit Lions on October 5, 2025, at Paycor Stadium, extending their skid to three straight defeats. What began as a 28-3 halftime rout—fueled by Detroit's explosive backfield duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery tying an NFL record with their 14th combined touchdown—devolved into a fourth-quarter mirage for Bengals fans. Cincinnati, now 2-3, has been outscored 113-37 over this brutal stretch, a stark reminder of life without injured star Joe Burrow.

Quarterback Jake Browning, filling in admirably during a 2023 late-season surge, looked utterly lost under center. He threw three interceptions—two deep in Bengals territory that gifted Detroit short-field touchdowns—before salvaging his stat line with 251 yards and three fourth-quarter scores to Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Those late strikes, including a 65-yard bomb to Chase, trimmed the deficit to 35-24 and sparked brief "Stripe the Jungle" chants amid boos that rained down after his third pick. But it was too little, too late; a failed onside kick and safety sealed the embarrassment. Browning now ranks second in the NFL with eight picks, his adjusted EPA per dropback a woeful -0.44, dead last among qualifiers.

Head coach Zac Taylor shouldered blame for the slow starts but doubled down on faith in Browning, saying, "I believe Jake can win games for us." Yet, postgame whispers of accountability rang hollow: Taylor admitted hearing bench calls from the crowd, while Browning owned his "awful" play, deferring any changes to the staff. The leash? Shortening fast.

With Burrow sidelined until at least December from toe surgery, rumors swirl of an upgrade. Analysts urge trading for a veteran like Russell Wilson or the benched Kirk Cousins to stem the bleeding—Brett Rypien, the roster's only other QB, boasts a 4-9 TD-INT ratio in limited action. Facing Green Bay next, then primetime tilts against the Jets and Steelers, Cincinnati's 2-3 perch in a wobbly AFC North (Ravens and Browns at 1-4) offers a lifeline. But sticking with Browning risks irrelevance; the front office must act, or this season crumbles before Burrow's return. The Bengals' Super Bowl window creaks open—don't slam it shut with indecision.

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The Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) host the Detroit Lions (3-1) at Paycor Stadium on Sunday, October 5, 2025, in a 4:25 p.m. ET FOX showdown—America's Game of the Week. With Joe Burrow sidelined by injury, backup Jake Browning steps up amid a Bengals offense averaging a league-worst 19.3 points and 205 yards per game. Last week's 3-point dud in Denver exposed their woes: just 159 total yards and nine first downs. Defensively, they're porous, allowing 30+ points in three of four contests. Ja'Marr Chase remains elite, but Cincy's 2-2 ATS mark as underdogs screams fragility. Home cooking offers slim hope—they score 31 at Paycor but concede 27.

Detroit roars in on a three-game heater, leading the NFL with 34.2 points and 365 yards per game. Jared Goff's precision (9 TDs, 2 INTs) fuels a balanced attack, with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery gashing defenses (top-10 rush duo). New OC John Morton adds wrinkles to Dan Campbell's gritty scheme. The Lions' D, allowing 317 yards nightly, thrives in chaos. They're 3-1 ATS on the road lately, and experts peg a 75% win probability. Odds: Lions -10.5, total 47.5. Simulations favor a tight 25-24 Detroit squeaker, but most see a rout. For Bengals fans, it's survival mode; for Lions, a statement en route to contention.

The 2025 MLB Division Series explode into action Saturday, October 4, pitting powerhouses against wild-card warriors in best-of-five thrillers. In the AL, powerhouse Toronto Blue Jays (1 seed) host the surging New York Yankees (WC), where Aaron Judge's bat clashes with Toronto's deep rotation led by Kevin Gausman. Meanwhile, Seattle Mariners (2 seed) face gritty Detroit Tigers, with Tarik Skubal's 14-K wild-card gem eyeing a repeat against Seattle's ace Luis Castillo—expect pitching duels in the Emerald City.

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Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!

In a heart-wrenching conclusion to their improbable 2025 season, the Cincinnati Reds fell 8-4 to the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 1 at Dodger Stadium, swept out of the MLB playoffs in the National League Wild Card Series. The loss capped a valiant but ultimately futile effort from a young Reds squad that defied 83-79 odds to snag a postseason berth, only to collide with the juggernaut defending champions.

The game mirrored the series' narrative: Cincinnati's flashes of brilliance smothered by L.A.'s relentless firepower. Reds starter Zack Littell kept it close early, allowing just two runs through five innings. But the Dodgers' offense—fueled by 13 hits and opportunistic small ball—erupted in the sixth, plating four runs to seize a 6-2 lead. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Japanese ace, was masterful for L.A., fanning nine in 6.2 innings while navigating a bases-loaded jam in the sixth that could have swung momentum.

Cincinnati's fightback was fierce. They grabbed a 2-0 first-inning lead on Sal Stewart's two-run RBI single that eluded Freddie Freeman's glove— their first postseason advantage since 2012. Elly De La Cruz dazzled with his trademark speed, legging out infield hits and swiping bags, while Matt McLain's diving stops kept hope alive. Late rallies narrowed the gap, loading the bases in the eighth, but the bullpen faltered, and Jack Dreyer's escapes sealed the deal.

For the Reds, it's a bitter pill. This roster, blending raw talent like De La Cruz and Greene with veterans like Stephenson, showed October mettle. Yet, against the Dodgers' star-studded lineup—Ohtani's clutch RBI, Betts' timely double—the gap was exposed. As L.A. advances to face the Phillies, Cincinnati heads to the drawing board, rebuilding around its dynamic core. The future burns bright, but tonight, the sting of elimination lingers. Onward to 2026.

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