Story byBilly HeyenSun, December 21, 2025 at 8:36 PM UTC·1 min readWhy Joe Flacco is playing QB for Bengals, not Joe Burrow originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. With more than 11 minutes to go, Joe Burrow's day was done. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJoe Flacco came in to play quarterback the rest of the afternoon for the Cincinnati Bengals against the Miami Dolphins in Week 16. The Bengals were up 45-14 when Flacco came in. MORE: How Joe Burrow was nearly traded from Bengals to DolphinsWhy is Joe Flacco playing QB for Bengals, not Joe Burrow?This is just the Bengals playing it safe. With a 31-point lead and less than a quarter to go, Cincinnati felt like Flacco could see this one out against the Dolphins and their rookie QB, Quinn Ewers. Burrow had done more than enough already. On the afternoon, Burrow was 25-for-32 for 309 yards and four touchdowns. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTwo of the scores went to RB Chase Brown, and one apiece to WR Tee Higgins and TE Mike Gesicki. Flacco completed his first pass for four yards, for good measure. The Bengals will be careful with Burrow the rest of the way since they won't be making it to the playoffs. They'll obviously want him healthy for the start of next season. More NFL news:Harold Fannin sets Browns franchise record, celebrates with 6-7Booger McFarland weighs in on Lions' nose-picking celebrationsThe Packers had a chance to sign an all-time great for $5 million and passedTua Tagovailoa's contract looks like a nightmareJaydon Blue concern has played out for CowboysWe now know what the Colts are paying Philip Rivers.