Less than two weeks after arriving in a trade from the Cleveland Browns, quarterback Joe Flacco was a central figure in the Cincinnati Bengals' 33-31 upset win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night.

Flacco shared what its like playing for the Bengals after years of competing against them during a post-game press conference Oct. 16.

CINCINNATI — Joe Flacco got plenty of worthy praise from his head coach and teammates following another strong outing in a Bengals uniform. Cincinnati needed competent, level quarterback play, with Jake Browning floundering, and they've gotten much more than that out of Flacco.

Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco said Thursday night’s 33-31 win over the Steelers, and the ability to pass to two great receivers like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, is exactly what motivates him to keep playing into his 40s.

At this late stage of his professional football career, Joe Flacco doesn't have the respect of his peers like Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. The older veteran quarterback hasn't been consistently effective in years.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns were happy Joe Flacco had such a great game for the Bengals on Thursday night, and have no regrets about trading him there. In fact, they wouldn’t have traded him there unless he had an opportunity to start.

In 25 regular-season and postseason starts against the Steelers, Flacco now has 12 total wins. That ties him with Tom Brady for the most ever by a quarterback against Pittsburgh. The asterisk is that last year’s off-the-bench win with the Colts gives Flacco a 13th.