Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals
· National Football LeagueQB 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.
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.
Bengals WR and kick-returner Charlie Jones wasn't in uniform after injuring a knee in practice Thursday.
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
TD | 1st Period 8:34 | Tee Higgins 10 Yd pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson Kick) | |
TD | 1st Period 1:35 | Bucky Irving 5 Yd Run (Chase McLaughlin Kick) | |
FG | 3rd Period 9:13 | Chase McLaughlin 35 Yd Field Goal | |
TD | 4th Period 3:33 | Jermaine Burton 37 Yd pass from Logan Woodside (Evan McPherson Kick) | |
TD | 4th Period 0:57 | Ramon Jefferson 3 Yd Run (Chase McLaughlin Kick) |
Statistics
TB | CIN | |
---|---|---|
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 |
Game Information
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Attendance: 63,323 · Capacity:
2024 NFC South Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | T | PF | PA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atlanta | 8 | 7 | .533 | 0 | 327 | 349 |
Tampa Bay | 8 | 7 | .533 | 0 | 427 | 352 |
New Orleans | 5 | 10 | .333 | 0 | 309 | 346 |
Carolina | 4 | 11 | .267 | 0 | 283 | 448 |
2024 AFC North Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | T | PF | PA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pittsburgh | 10 | 5 | .667 | 0 | 353 | 299 |
Baltimore | 10 | 5 | .667 | 0 | 452 | 349 |
Cincinnati | 7 | 8 | .467 | 0 | 423 | 393 |
Cleveland | 3 | 12 | .200 | 0 | 245 | 380 |
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