Bengals capitalize on four turnovers to hold off Buccaneers 33-27.
CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals turned defensive pressure into points Sunday, forcing four turnovers and overcoming a late push from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to secure a 33-27 season-opening victory. The Bengals scored 24 points off Tampa Bay’s mistakes, with three of the Buccaneers’ turnovers leading directly to touchdowns. Cincinnati’s revamped defense consistently created problems for quarterback Baker Mayfield, who lost three fumbles. The victory gives Cincinnati consecutive season-opening wins and provides an early indication of how much the team’s offseason defensive additions can change the complexion of games. “We talked all offseason about what these guys could bring,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “You felt their presence today. It was fun to watch those guys get in the action and create all those turnovers.” Joe Burrow completed 25 of 35 passes for 254 yards and a touchdown as Cincinnati steadily built its lead after opening the game with a three-and-out. The Bengals scored on six of their next seven possessions, with their only major setback coming when Tampa Bay rookie linebacker Jeremiah Trotter returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown. Burrow connected with tight end Mike Gesicki on a 2-yard touchdown pass, while Chase Brown added a 5-yard rushing score. Cincinnati also received a major contribution from Evan McPherson, who converted four field-goal attempts, including impressive kicks from 55 and 58 yards.
Defense sets the tone
The Bengals wasted little time showing the impact of their new defensive personnel.
After Tampa Bay opened the game with Chase McLaughlin's 34-yard field goal, Cincinnati forced turnovers on each of the Buccaneers' next three possessions.
One of the biggest plays came when Myles Murphy and Barrett Carter brought down Mayfield near the Tampa Bay 26-yard line. The loose ball was recovered by Demetrius Knight, who raced up the sideline for a touchdown.
It was Cincinnati's first fumble recovery returned for a touchdown since Sam Hubbard's 99-yard score against Baltimore in the 2022 wild-card round.
Knight said he nearly lost his footing during the return but managed to stay upright.
“Somebody swiped my leg, so I'm thinking, ‘Please don't go down right here,’” Knight said. “It was an amazing opportunity.”
Boye Mafe, another offseason addition, also made an immediate impact. He recovered a Bucky Irving fumble and later recorded a sack.
Safety Bryan Cook added a forced fumble and recovery, while Carter's strip of Mayfield inside the Cincinnati 5-yard line helped preserve the Bengals' advantage.
Tampa Bay fights back
The Buccaneers refused to let the game get away.
Mayfield finished 23 of 28 for 216 yards and added a rushing touchdown, but the early turnovers left Tampa Bay facing a significant deficit.
Trotter gave the Buccaneers another spark in the third quarter. The second-round pick first recorded a sack of Burrow for a 9-yard loss before making his biggest play of the afternoon.
Trotter jumped a route intended for Andrei Iosivas and returned the interception 38 yards for a touchdown, cutting Cincinnati's lead to 27-20 with 2:16 remaining in the third quarter.
The performance made Trotter the first player since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 to record both a sack and a pick-six in his NFL debut.
“Good play on his part,” Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles said. “It's a play he blew from practice. He learned from it and made a play from there.”
Bengals close it out
Tampa Bay continued to threaten in the fourth quarter.
Mayfield's 9-yard touchdown run pulled the Buccaneers within six points with 3:19 remaining, but Cincinnati's offense responded with a clock-draining possession.
Burrow found Tee Higgins for 18 yards on second-and-10, moving the Bengals to the Tampa Bay 26 and allowing Cincinnati to bleed valuable time off the clock.
“We came out with more of an aggressive mindset,” Taylor said. “Credit to our guys for understanding how we wanted to run the clock there, while still getting maximum yardage.”
The Bengals ultimately finished the job, with their defense and special teams providing enough plays to offset Tampa Bay's late surge.
McPherson makes history
McPherson's two second-half field goals from at least 55 yards also put his name in the Bengals record book.
He became the first kicker in franchise history to make two field goals of 55 yards or longer in the same game.
His 58-yarder helped Cincinnati maintain breathing room as the Buccaneers continued trying to rally.
Injury update
Tampa Bay cornerback Jacob Parrish left during the second quarter after tweaking his back and did not return. Bowles said Parrish will undergo an MRI.
What's next
The Buccaneers return home next Sunday to face the Cleveland Browns.
The Bengals travel to Houston for their Week 2 matchup against the Texans.
