Bengals defeat Buccaneers 33-27 in season opener
Cincinnati opened the season with a 33-27 win over Tampa Bay, highlighted by strong play from tight end Mike Gesicki and a positive turnover margin.
The Cincinnati Bengals began their 2026 campaign with a 33-27 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, marking their first road to a potential Super Bowl after three seasons without a playoff appearance. quarterback Joe Burrow threw for three touchdowns and one interception, which resulted in a pick-six in the third quarter, but the defense forced four fumbles and recovered all of them, giving the team a +3 turnover margin.
Tight end Mike Gesicki contributed five catches for 78 yards and a touchdown, effectively serving as a slot receiver while the Buccaneers focused on Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Running back Chase Brown recorded 56 rushing yards, a rushing touchdown and five receptions for 23 yards, benefitting from the increased use of under-center snaps.
The offensive line, unchanged from the previous season, limited Burrow to a single sack, allowing him more time in the pocket. Kicker Evan McPherson added three field goals from distances ranging between 20 and 58 yards and made a tackle on a long return.
Defensively, rookie linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. scored on a fumble recovery, and fellow rookie Barrett Carter added several tackles for loss. Defensive end Boye Mafe recovered a fumble, strip-sacked Baker Mayfield and helped generate ten points for the Bengals. Late-game contributions came from Dohnte Meyers, who rushed for a first down and caught an 18-yard pass on the final drive.
"We’ve now won back-to-back season openers, which is a big step forward for our program," head coach Zac Taylor said after the game.
The Buccaneers kept the contest close, but the Bengals’ balanced attack and improved turnover ratio secured the win. The team will travel to Houston for its next game, aiming to extend the momentum.