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.

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.

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.

Joe Flacco turned back the clock on Thursday night, leading the Cincinnati Bengals to a 33-31 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He completed 31-of-47 pass attempts for 342 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

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.