NFL

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals

· National Football League
1-0, 1-0 Away
Final
17 - 14
0-1, 0-1 Home

QB Joe Burrow throws a TD pass in his first game since wrist surgery, but Bucs beat Bengals 17-14

In his first game action in nearly nine months, Cincinnati's franchise quarterback directed a 73-yard drive, tossed a touchdown pass to Tee Higgins and then walked off the field.

The Buccaneers scored late to win the game 17-14, but Burrow passed his test.

He was 5 for 7 for 51 yards, directed five first downs and completed passes to four different receivers.

“I thought he was in control and saw the defense really well,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “I thought he handled it really well, and those guys made plays for him.”

The first and last passes of the drive were to Higgins, one of the few other Bengals' offensive starters to play. Burrow found Higgins for a 9-yard gain to open the drive. Then, on second-and-goal from the Tampa Bay 10, Josh Hayes to go in untouched.

Burrow looked as if he was back to his old self after having surgery last year to repair a torn ligament in his throwing hand. He avoided taking any hits, on one play throwing the ball into the ground to avoid blitzing safety Kaevon Merriweather.

“Still some work to do, but it was nice to be back out there,” Burrow said. “Scored that touchdown, had a little help. It was a nice start.”

Burrow was injured last Nov. 16 at Baltimore, coincidentally on a touchdown throw to Higgins.

Backup Jake Browning didn't fare as well on Saturday. He played the rest of the first half and the third quarter, going 10 for 18 for 52 yards. Cincinnati struggled until Logan Woodside, the third quarterback of the night, threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to rookie Jermaine Burton, a third-round draft pick, late in the game.

Higgins left the game after the first series, too. He is playing with a franchise tag, so he has something to prove in 2024.

Bucs rest starters Quarterback Baker Mayfield and most of Tampa Bay's top players didn't participate. Backup Kyle Trask played the first half, going 12 for 20 for 144 yards and was intercepted by rookie cornerback Josh Newton.

Fourth-round pick Bucky Irving carried six times for 27 yards and bulled in for a 5-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Center Graham Barton, Tampa Bay's first-round pick, saw significant action, helping blow out the middle of the Bengals' defensive line on Irving's touchdown.

“We got our first game under our belts," Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles said. "A lot of guys played for the first time. For the most part it was sloppy. There are a few things we need to clean up, but we made progress.”

Unlike last August when Mayfield was on a one-year, prove-it contract and competing with Trask to succeed Tom Brady as Tampa Bay’s quarterback, there are no lingering questions about the direction of the offense in training camp this summer.

The Bucs are confident Mayfield is positioned for continued success after leading the team to a third consecutive NFC South title and being rewarded with a new three-year, $100 million contract.

Injuries Bucs TE Devin Culp was being evaluated for a possible concussion.

Bengals WR and kick-returner Charlie Jones wasn't in uniform after injuring a knee in practice Thursday.

Up Next Buccaneers: At Jaguars next Saturday.

Bengals: At Bears next Saturday.

How can I watch Buccaneers vs. Bengals?

  • TV Channel: Buccaneers at Bengals 2021-22 NFL, week 2 is broadcasted nationally on NFL+.
  • Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
    In Canada, viewers can watch Buccaneers vs. Bengals on DAZN.

Scoring Summary

CIN TD 1st Period 8:34 Tee Higgins 10 Yd pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson Kick)
TB TD 1st Period 1:35 Bucky Irving 5 Yd Run (Chase McLaughlin Kick)
TB FG 3rd Period 9:13 Chase McLaughlin 35 Yd Field Goal
CIN TD 4th Period 3:33 Jermaine Burton 37 Yd pass from Logan Woodside (Evan McPherson Kick)
TB TD 4th Period 0:57 Ramon Jefferson 3 Yd Run (Chase McLaughlin Kick)

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/tb.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originTB https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/cin.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originCIN
22 1st Downs 12
15 Passing 1st downs 10
5 Rushing 1st downs 1
2 1st downs from penalties 1
6-17 3rd down efficiency 3-11
1-2 4th down efficiency 1-2
73 Total Plays 50
390 Total Yards 288
5.3 Yards per Play 5.8
11 Total Drives 11
254 Passing 252
24/38 Comp/Att 23/37
6.2 Yards per pass 6.8
1 Interceptions thrown 1
3-21 Sacks-Yards Lost 0-0
136 Rushing 36
32 Rushing Attempts 13
4.3 Yards per rush 2.8
2-4 Red Zone (Made-Att) 1-1
3-32 Penalties 8-61
1 Turnovers 1
0 Fumbles lost 0
1 Interceptions thrown 1
0 Defensive / Special Teams TDs 0
36:26 Possession 23:34
Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Cam Sample, DE Questionable Mar 13
Evan McPherson, PK Questionable Feb 17
Logan Wilson, LB Questionable Feb 10
DJ Turner II, CB Questionable Feb 10
Lance Robinson, CB Questionable Feb 10
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Chris Godwin, WR Questionable Mar 10
Markees Watts, LB Questionable Feb 12
Christian Izien, S Questionable Feb 12
Silas Dzansi, OT Questionable Feb 12
SirVocea Dennis, LB Questionable Feb 12

Game Information

Paycor Stadium

Location: Cincinnati, OH
Attendance: 63,323 · Capacity:

2024 NFC South Standings

TEAM W L PCT T PF PA
Tampa Bay 10 7 .588 0 502 385
Atlanta 8 9 .471 0 389 423
Carolina 5 12 .294 0 341 534
New Orleans 5 12 .294 0 338 398

2024 AFC North Standings

TEAM W L PCT T PF PA
Baltimore 12 5 .706 0 518 361
Pittsburgh 10 7 .588 0 380 347
Cincinnati 9 8 .529 0 472 434
Cleveland 3 14 .176 0 258 435
Full Standings

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