Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer (31) in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners during game four of the ALCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at T-Mobile Park. Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

Max Scherzer, Joe Flacco make history with recent performances

By Zachary Cariola | Last updated Oct 17, 2025 9:40 AM ET

On Thursday, two high-profile athletes showed that age is but a number within the realm of sports.

Max Scherzer (41 years old), a future Hall of Famer and Game 4 starter for the Toronto Blue Jays, showed his vintage self against the Seattle Mariners, and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (40) returned to his old Super Bowl-winning form on “Thursday Night Football” against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Flacco and Scherzer's performances didn't just surprise viewers; they also made history.

Max Scherzer, Joe Flacco made history on Thursday night

Scherzer worked his way through 5.2 innings in Game 4, allowing two runs and four walks while tallying five strikeouts. He convinced his manager, John Schneider, to leave him out there in the fifth to strike out Randy Arozarena.

Flacco, meanwhile, led the Bengals to a 33-31 victory over the Steelers, throwing for a season high 342 yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions.

Earning the win for each of their performances, Scherzer and Flacco became the first 40-plus-year-old starting pitcher and quarterback duo to win on the same day, according to OptaSTATS.

Thursday marked the first time ever a 40+ year old starting pitcher (Max Scherzer) won in the MLB postseason and a 40+ year old starting QB (Joe Flacco) won in the NFL on the same day. pic.twitter.com/5M2vdKgSbc
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) October 17, 2025

Blue Jays, Bengals are in better spots thanks to their veterans

Scherzer helped keep the Mariners offense at bay while the Blue Jays offense once again took care of business, winning 8-2 and tying the series 2-2 heading into Game 5. After scoring 21 runs combined in Games 3 and 4 while scoring four in Games 1 and 2, the Blue Jays are in a good spot to take Game 5 in Seattle, with a chance to win the series in Toronto on Sunday.

Entering Thursday's game at 2-4 and riding a four-game losing streak, the Bengals, after making the change to have Flacco as their quarterback, saw the move pay off, as he helped the Bengals keep the race for the AFC North within reach. Flacco and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase continue to be on the same page with each other, with Chase having 26 receptions, 255 yards and two touchdowns, since Flacco took the reins, per Pro Football Focus.

Ja'Marr Chase in two games with Joe Flacco at QB:

26 receptions
255 yards
2 TDs https://t.co/wZzMF1j1zl pic.twitter.com/rCBkvCFV0h
— PFF (@PFF) October 17, 2025

Scherzer and Flacco will be valuable for their teams moving forward. The Blue Jays hope to make the World Series for the first time since 1993, while the Bengals hope to make the playoffs despite star quarterback Joe Burrow's injury.

Zachary Cariola

My name is Zachary Cariola and I have been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. My areas of expertise are MLB, NBA, and NFL. You can find my other work on Southside Showdown from FanSided and at Chicitysports where I cover all Chicago sports. When not watching sports, I love spending time with my family and learning history.

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