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.

In a 33-31 win vs. the Steelers on Thursday night, Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco threw three touchdowns, which is one more than he had in four starts for the Browns.

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.

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

Joe Flacco looks like he’s ready to lead another AFC North team on an improbable run. Just 10 days after Flacco arrived in Cincinnati, he beat Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers in an unlikely shootout between 40-year-old quarterbacks Thursday night.

Then there’s Flacco, who former ESPN analyst and “First Take” commentator Jay Mariotti endorsed for the Hall of Fame on Friday night. The praise came after Flacco threw three touchdowns in a shocking upset over Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Thursday’s thrilling 33-31 finish.

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.