CINCINNATI -- Ten days ago, Joe Flacco didn't know whether he'd get to experience again what he felt Thursday night.

Last week, Flacco was a quarterback who had been benched in his 18th NFL season. On Thursday night, he celebrated another comeback win in the AFC North.

Nine days after his trade to the Cincinnati Bengals , he led his new club to a 33-31 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium. Needing points on the final drive to win, Flacco propelled the offense down the field, with kicker Evan McPherson 's 36-yard field goal with seven seconds left sealing the victory.

Flacco acknowledged the uncertainty he had felt about getting back to the position he was in Thursday night.

"It felt like I might not, to be honest with you," Flacco said. "It's pretty special.

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