Here’s a shocking truth: Joe Flacco has officially surpassed Mike Tomlin in regular-season head-to-head matchups, and it’s a stat that’s raising eyebrows across the NFL. But here’s where it gets controversial: Steelers coach Mike Tomlin openly admitted last year that he’d rather not face Flacco—a quarterback who’s proven to be his team’s unexpected kryptonite. Remember when Tomlin instructed his players to keep Colts starter Anthony Richardson upright? It wasn’t just about sportsmanship; it was a strategic move to avoid Flacco stepping in. And when Richardson went down, Flacco did exactly what Tomlin feared—he led the Colts to victory over the Steelers.
Heading into Thursday night’s game, Flacco and Tomlin were tied at 11-11 in regular-season matchups. But Cincinnati’s nail-biting 33-31 win tipped the scales in Flacco’s favor, giving him a 12-11 edge. And this is the part most people miss: Flacco now ties Tom Brady for the most wins by a quarterback against the Steelers, with 12 victories in 25 regular-season and postseason starts. Add in last year’s off-the-bench win with the Colts, and Flacco technically holds 13 wins—a stat that’s sure to spark debate among fans.
Flacco’s next chance to extend his lead comes in just four weeks when the Bengals visit Pittsburgh. Will he secure his 13th official win, or will Tomlin finally find a way to outsmart his longtime rival? Here’s the bold question: Is Joe Flacco the most underrated quarterback when it comes to dominating the Steelers, or is Mike Tomlin’s strategy simply falling short? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s far from over.
