Bengals postgame wrap after loss to Chicago Bears
Enquirer beat reporter Kelsey Conway on the Bengals’ 47-42 loss to the Chicago Bears on Nov. 2.
Cincinnati Bengals fans understandably had a tough time finding any silver lining in the punch to the gut the Chicago Bears’ 47-42 win at Paycor Stadium delivered.
Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco‘s effort, however, was nothing short of remarkable. At 40 years old, Flacco became the oldest quarterback in NFL history to pass for 470 yards in a game.
Even more improbable: Flacco’s 470-yard day came as he played with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder.
CBS’ Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta marveled at Flacco’s performance during the fourth quarter of the broadcast.
“Let’s just talk about Joe Flacco for a minute,” Archuleta said. “We had no idea what to expect coming into this game. He only practiced one day this week. Sprained the AC joint. I don’t know how he’s out there throwing the football. … I just can’t talk (enough) about how – Flacco, his legend is growing as we speak at 40 years old with how he’s been able to come into this offense and operate it without much practice. And now with the injury. It just is an uncommon thing that we’re seeing.”
“Flacco, obviously he got that pain injection,” Dedes said. “First time he’s dealing with an AC joint sprain in his shoulder. It’s in his right throwing shoulder. … Does that thing wear off at a certain point?”
“One time a couple years ago, I slept funny on my shoulder,” Archuleta said. “I tried to run our flag football practice. I just couldn’t get our receivers warmed up. So I don’t know how Flacco is out there. I kind of feel where he’s coming from. But obviously he’s better than I am. … One of the keys to his success and why he’s been able to play at a high level at 40 years old is you just notice how he plays. He knows where to go with the football. His awareness and his pre-snap recognition. Rarely does he get flustered when he takes the snap to throw the pass.”
Sideline reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala pointed out that Flacco didn’t miss an NFL game until his eighth season.
“His toughness is, indeed, legendary,” Kinkhabwala added.