The Cincinnati Bengals are not the same football team they were several weeks ago, and that's thanks in large part to the bold trade for 40-year-old quarterback Joe Flacco.
Defying father time and any reasonable expectations for someone asked to spot start in a brand-new offense on short notice, Flacco keyed a critical Week 7 win over the Steelers. Unfortunately, that was sandwiched between a loss at Green Bay and a stunning collapse in a 39-38 defeat to the Jets in Week 8.
Making matters worse coming out of this past Sunday's colossal disappointment, Flacco has an ailing throwing shoulder that could keep him out for Week 9's home tilt versus the Chicago Bears.