The Baltimore Ravens earned their only win of the season thus far against Joe Flacco and the Cleveland Browns in Week 2. It was a homecoming for Flacco, as it was the first time he returned to M&T Bank Stadium and just his second matchup against Baltimore since getting traded to the Denver Broncos in 2019. Now, there may be a rivalry brewing.
Flacco was traded from the Browns to the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday. The move comes just a week after Cleveland benched Flacco for rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel. The Bengals needed some quarterback help with Joe Burrow down with an injury and Jake Browning struggling, and Flacco seems to be the guy.
Trade: Browns are trading QB Joe Flacco and a 6th-round pick to the Bengals for a 5th-round pick. pic.twitter.com/VbIorM9985
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 7, 2025
Ravens’ fans thought they were done with Flacco in 2025 after his benching. However, the latest AFC North trade could pin two more matchups between the two sides this season. Baltimore faces the Bengals in Week 13 and Week 15, and with Burrow expected to be out due to a Grade 3 turf toe injury for at least three months, Flacco could once again suit up against his former team. The current timeline for Burrow's return appears to be Week 16, just a week after Cincinnati’s second game with the Ravens.
Ravens set to face Joe Flacco two more times in 2025
Baltimore’s Week 2 game against Flacco went well. It was the one game this year where their defense actually played up to expectations. Flacco was just 25-for-45 through the air with 199 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also lost the ball on a strip sack that was returned for a touchdown by linebacker Roquan Smith.
If Flacco does earn the job over the Bengals’ current starting quarterback, Browning, he will have a much stronger supporting cast than he did in Cleveland. Wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins should benefit from Flacco’s deep ball, and Flacco will likely lean on the tight end duo of Noah Fant and Mike Gesicki, as he has throughout his career. Given the Ravens’ defensive struggles, it could become an issue by the time they square off against the Bengals late in the season.
Baltimore does seem to have Flacco’s number, though. They are 2-0 against the 40-year-old and made Flacco-led offenses look severely uncomfortable in their matchups, blowing the opponent out on both occasions.
While the Ravens’ season looks lost, the Browns-Bengals trade should add some intrigue down the stretch as they try to salvage the year. If Flacco takes starting reps in Week 13 and Week 15, they are sure to be games that have all of Baltimore’s attention.