Buccaneers vs Bengals Week 1 2026: Final Score 33

Final2026 Week 1

Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OHSun, Sep 13, 2026, 1:00 PM ET

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Cincinnati Bengals, Week 1 2026

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Away

Cincinnati Bengals

HomeWon

Scoring by quarter
Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Buccaneers	3	7	10	7	27
Bengals	14	10	3	6	33

TB 27CIN 33 Final

Passing leader
Joe Burrow
CIN · QB
15.2PPR pts
25/35, 254 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Top fantasy scorer
Bucky Irving
TB · RB
20.3PPR pts
8 ATT, 45 YDS, 1 TD, 7 REC, 48 REC YDS
Buccaneers leader
Baker Mayfield
TB · QB
11.6PPR pts
23/28, 216 YDS, 1 RUSH TD
Defensive playmaker
Josiah Trotter
TB
1 INT, 1 TD, 1 SACK, 11 TKL

Bengals 33, Buccaneers 27: Cincinnati beats Tampa Bay

Cincinnati led 24–10 at halftime and won 33–27, though Tampa Bay took the second half 17–9. The Bengals finished with a 351–282 edge in total offense and averaged 5.6 yards per play.

The gap showed up everywhere. The Buccaneers went 5-for-10 on third down and committed four turnovers.

Key advantages

+0.2 yards/play CIN 5.6 · TB 5.4
+3 turnover margin CIN 1 · TB 4 turnovers
+69 total yards CIN 351 · TB 282

Game Highlights

Watch on YouTube: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cincinnati Bengals Game Highlights | NFL 2026 Season Week 1

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Bengals Won

Cincinnati won the efficiency, turnover, third-down, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Buccaneers vs Bengals
Buccaneers	Stat	Bengals
5.4	Yards per play	5.6

4	Turnovers	1

282	Total yards	351

Other team stats
52	Plays	63

50%	Third-down conversion	57%

28:35	Time of possession	31:25

Scoring Summary

The Bengals scored three touchdowns and four field goals; the Buccaneers scored three touchdowns and two field goals.

Scoring plays, Buccaneers vs Bengals
Time	Team	Play	TB	CIN
1st quarter
9:09	TB	Chase McLaughlin 34-yard FG Takes lead	3	0
6:18	CIN	Demetrius Knight Jr. 27-yard fumble return TD Takes leadEvan McPherson XP	3	7
1:48	CIN	Joe Burrow → Mike Gesicki, 2-yard TD Extends leadEvan McPherson XP	3	14
2nd quarter
5:32	CIN	Chase Brown 5-yard TD run Extends leadEvan McPherson XP	3	21
1:49	TB	Bucky Irving 10-yard TD runChase McLaughlin XP	10	21
0:06	CIN	Evan McPherson 20-yard FG Extends lead	10	24
3rd quarter
10:03	CIN	Evan McPherson 55-yard FG Extends lead	10	27
3:41	TB	Chase McLaughlin 51-yard FG	13	27
2:16	TB	Josiah Trotter 38-yard interception return TDChase McLaughlin XP	20	27
4th quarter
14:04	CIN	Evan McPherson 58-yard FG Extends lead	20	30
5:19	CIN	Evan McPherson 32-yard FG Extends lead	20	33
3:19	TB	Baker Mayfield 9-yard TD runChase McLaughlin XP	27	33

Fantasy Points: Buccaneers vs Bengals, Week 1 2026

Fantasy leaders

Bucky IrvingTBRB20.3 PTSRB12
Mike GesickiCINTE18.8 PTSTE4
Chase BrownCINRB18.8 PTSRB14
Joe BurrowCINQB15.2 PTSQB20

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
Player	FPTS	FIN	CMP/ATT	Pass YDS	TD	INT	Rush ATT	Rush YDS	Rush TD	Rate	Start/Sit
Joe BurrowCINQB	15.2	QB20	25/35	254	1	1	5	20	0	89.5	Start/Sit →
Baker MayfieldTBQB	11.6	QB27	23/28	216	0	0	5	30	1	98.8	Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
Player	FPTS	FIN	POS	Rush ATT	Rush YDS	Rush TD	TGT	REC	Rec YDS	Rec TD	Start/Sit
Bucky IrvingTBRB	20.3	RB12	RB	8	45	1	7	7	48	0	Start/Sit →
Chase BrownCINRB	18.8	RB14	RB	16	56	1	6	5	22	0	Start/Sit →
Mike GesickiCINTE	18.8	TE4	TE	—	—	—	7	5	78	1	Start/Sit →
Emeka EgbukaTBWR	11.3	WR30	WR	—	—	—	6	5	63	0	Start/Sit →
Tee HigginsCINWR	8.9	WR42	WR	—	—	—	6	3	59	0	Start/Sit →
Chris GodwinTBWR	8.3	WR46	WR	1	3	0	4	4	40	0
Samaje PerineCINRB	8.0	RB35	RB	5	20	0	3	3	30	0	Start/Sit →
Ted HurstTBWR	6.6	WR59	WR	—	—	—	3	3	36	0
Cade OttonTBTE	5.6	TE26	TE	—	—	—	5	3	26	0	Start/Sit →
Drew SampleCINTE	4.9	TE29	TE	—	—	—	3	3	19	0	Start/Sit →
Dohnte MeyersCINWR	3.8	WR81	WR	1	10	0	1	1	18	0	Start/Sit →
Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR	3.2	WR86	WR	—	—	—	4	2	12	0	Start/Sit →
Andrei IosivasCINWR	3.2	WR87	WR	—	—	—	3	2	12	0
Kenny GainwellTBRB	2.8	RB60	RB	5	15	0	1	1	3	0	Start/Sit →
Tanner HudsonCINTE	1.4	TE60	TE	—	—	—	1	1	4	0
Tez JohnsonTBWR	-0.4	—	WR	1	-4	0	1	0	0	0	Start/Sit →

Fantasy Usage

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Snap Share

Cade OttonTE56 snaps98%
Chris GodwinWR49 snaps86%
Emeka EgbukaWR49 snaps86%
Ted HurstWR43 snaps75%
Bucky IrvingRB35 snaps61%

Target Share27 targets

Bucky Irving26%, 7 targets
Emeka Egbuka22%, 6 targets
Cade Otton19%, 5 targets
Chris Godwin15%, 4 targets
Ted Hurst11%, 3 targets
Other7%, 2 targets

Carry Share20 carries

Bucky Irving40%, 8 carries
Baker Mayfield25%, 5 carries
Kenny Gainwell25%, 5 carries
Chris Godwin5%, 1 carries
Tez Johnson5%, 1 carries

Cincinnati Bengals

Snap Share

Ja'Marr ChaseWR60 snaps94%
Tee HigginsWR46 snaps72%
Chase BrownRB46 snaps72%
Drew SampleTE42 snaps66%
Andrei IosivasWR39 snaps61%

Target Share34 targets

Mike Gesicki21%, 7 targets
Tee Higgins18%, 6 targets
Chase Brown18%, 6 targets
Ja'Marr Chase12%, 4 targets
Samaje Perine9%, 3 targets
Other24%, 8 targets

Carry Share27 carries

Chase Brown59%, 16 carries
Samaje Perine19%, 5 carries
Joe Burrow19%, 5 carries
Dohnte Meyers4%, 1 carries

View full usage tableHide full usage table

Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
Player	SNAPS	SNAP %	TGT	TGT %	CAR
Cade OttonTBTE	56	98%	5	19%	0
Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR	60	94%	4	12%	0
Chris GodwinTBWR	49	86%	4	15%	1
Emeka EgbukaTBWR	49	86%	6	22%	0
Ted HurstTBWR	43	75%	3	11%	0
Tee HigginsCINWR	46	72%	6	18%	0
Chase BrownCINRB	46	72%	6	18%	16
Drew SampleCINTE	42	66%	3	9%	0
Bucky IrvingTBRB	35	61%	7	26%	8
Andrei IosivasCINWR	39	61%	3	9%	0
Kenny GainwellTBRB	26	46%	1	4%	5
Mike GesickiCINTE	21	33%	7	21%	0
Erick AllCINTE	20	31%	0	0%	0
Samaje PerineCINRB	18	28%	3	9%	5
Tez JohnsonTBWR	13	23%	1	4%	1
Dohnte MeyersCINWR	10	16%	1	3%	1
Colbie YoungCINWR	9	14%	0	0%	0
Payne DurhamTBTE	7	12%	0	0%	0
Tanner HudsonCINTE	6	9%	1	3%	0
Kameron JohnsonTBWR	5	9%	0	0%	0
Tahj BrooksCINRB	2	3%	0	0%	0
Ko KieftTBTE	1	2%	0	0%	0
Bauer SharpTBTE	1	2%	0	0%	0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

PPRHalf PPRStandard

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

Biggest overperformer+6.6Mike Gesicki18.8 PTS vs 12.2 xFP
Biggest underperformer−4.5Baker Mayfield11.6 PTS vs 16.1 xFP
Highest expected volume20.1 xFPChase Brown18.8 PTS scored

Usage and expected fantasy points
Player	PTS	xFP	vs xFP	Snap%	Usage	Rte%	Pass att	Car	Car%	Tgt	Tgt%
Chase BrownCIN · RB	18.8	20.1	−1.3	72%	59% car	—	0	16	59%	6	18%
Joe BurrowCIN · QB	15.2	19.4	−4.2	100%	35 att	—	35	5	19%	0	0%
Bucky IrvingTB · RB	20.3	17.1	+3.2	61%	40% car	—	0	8	40%	7	26%
Baker MayfieldTB · QB	11.6	16.1	−4.5	100%	28 att	—	28	5	25%	0	0%
Mike GesickiCIN · TE	18.8	12.2	+6.6	33%	21% tgt	—	0	0	0%	7	21%
Emeka EgbukaTB · WR	11.3	10.5	+0.8	86%	22% tgt	—	0	0	0%	6	22%
Tee HigginsCIN · WR	8.9	10.5	−1.6	72%	18% tgt	—	0	0	0%	6	18%
Cade OttonTB · TE	5.6	8.7	−3.1	98%	19% tgt	—	0	0	0%	5	19%
Samaje PerineCIN · RB	8.0	8.3	−0.3	28%	19% car	—	0	5	19%	3	9%
Chris Godwin Jr.TB · WR	8.3	7.6	+0.7	86%	15% tgt	—	0	1	5%	4	15%
Ja'Marr ChaseCIN · WR	3.2	7.0	−3.8	94%	12% tgt	—	0	0	0%	4	12%
Andrei IosivasCIN · WR	3.2	5.2	−2.0	61%	9% tgt	—	0	0	0%	3	9%
Drew SampleCIN · TE	4.9	5.2	−0.3	66%	9% tgt	—	0	0	0%	3	9%
Ted Hurst IIITB · WR	6.6	5.2	+1.4	75%	11% tgt	—	0	0	0%	3	11%
Kenny GainwellTB · RB	2.8	4.8	−2.0	46%	25% car	—	0	5	25%	1	4%
Dohnte MeyersCIN · WR	3.8	2.4	+1.4	16%	4% car	—	0	1	4%	1	3%
Tez JohnsonTB · WR	-0.4	2.4	−2.8	23%	5% car	—	0	1	5%	1	4%
Tanner HudsonCIN · TE	1.4	1.7	−0.3	9%	3% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	3%

Team totals: Buccaneers 27 targets and 20 carries; Bengals 34 targets and 27 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2026 season: 1.75 PPR points per target (68% catch rate), 0.60 per carry and 0.47 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Baker Mayfield

TB · QB · 11.6 pts on 16.1 expected

23 of 28 passing for 216 yards; 5 carries for 30 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 16.1 expected. Next up: Week 4 against the Packers. Bet on the role more than the result.

Start/Sit: Baker Mayfield →

Joe Burrow

CIN · QB · 15.2 pts on 19.4 expected

25 of 35 passing for 254 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception; 5 carries for 20 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 19.4 expected. Next up: Week 4 against the Jaguars. Bet on the role more than the result.

Start/Sit: Joe Burrow →

Bucky Irving

TB · RB · 20.3 pts on 17.1 expected

7 targets (26% of the team's), 7 catches for 48 yards; 8 carries (40% of the team's) for 45 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 17.1 expected. Next up: Week 4 against the Packers. Bet on the role more than the result.

Start/Sit: Bucky Irving →

Emeka Egbuka

TB · WR · 11.3 pts on 10.5 expected

6 targets (22% of the team's), 5 catches for 63 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 10.5 expected. Next up: Week 4 against the Packers. Bet on the role more than the result.

Start/Sit: Emeka Egbuka →

Chase Brown

CIN · RB · 18.8 pts on 20.1 expected

6 targets (18% of the team's), 5 catches for 22 yards; 16 carries (59% of the team's) for 56 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 20.1 expected. Next up: Week 4 against the Jaguars. Bet on the role more than the result.

Start/Sit: Chase Brown →

Mike Gesicki Ran hot

CIN · TE · 18.8 pts on 12.2 expected

7 targets (21% of the team's), 5 catches for 78 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 12.2 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat. Next up: Week 4 against the Jaguars. Bet on the role more than the result.

Start/Sit: Mike Gesicki →

Start/Sit Decisions

Emeka Egbuka or Tee Higgins?Compare their Week 4 outlook →

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2026 through Week 3.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Buccaneers defense and Bengals defense
Points allowed to	Buccaneers D	Bengals D
QBs	15.4	17.4
RBs	17.8	18.9
WRs	25.4	30.8
TEs	15.8	17.7

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Cincinnati opened at 60% win probability and passed 98% in the third quarter on the way to the win.

Bengals win probability

Key Swings

−9McLaughlin 34-yd FG60% → 50%Q1 9:09
+21Knight 27-yd TD50% → 71%Q1 6:18
+16Burrow → Gesicki, 2-yd TD71% → 88%Q1 1:48
+8Brown 5-yd TD run90% → 97%Q2 5:32
−12Trotter 38-yd pick-six98% → 87%Q3 2:16

Swing in Bengals win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Buccaneers vs Bengals
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Measure	Cincinnati Bengals
52	Plays	63
62%	Pass rate	57%
6.0	Yds / dropback	6.8
4.5	Yds / carry	3.9
5/10	Third downs	8/14

Efficiency edge Cincinnati ran 11 more plays and gained 0.8 more yards per dropback.

Top targets
TB Irving 26% · Egbuka 22% · Otton 19%
CIN Gesicki 21% · Brown 18% · Higgins 18%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Buccaneers vs Bengals
Result	TB	CIN
Touchdowns	2	2
Field goals	2	4
Punts	0	1
Turnovers	4	1

CIN turnover edge: +3

The Buccaneers opened the scoring on their first possession, a 11-play, 56-yard drive that ended in a field goal.
The Bengals scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives, then drained the clock with two second-half drives of four to six minutes.

All 18 possessions, drive by drive

Drive chart
Team	Start	Plays	Yards	Time	Result
TB	Q1 15:00	11	56	5:51	Field goal
CIN	Q1 9:09	3	4	1:31	Punt
TB	Q1 7:38	3	-6	1:20	Fumble
TB	Q1 6:18	3	3	0:56	Fumble
CIN	Q1 5:22	7	33	3:34	Touchdown
TB	Q1 1:48	7	62	4:44	Fumble
CIN	Q2 12:04	12	80	6:32	Touchdown
TB	Q2 5:32	6	75	3:43	Touchdown
CIN	Q2 1:49	10	70	1:43	Field goal
TB	Q2 0:06	1	-1	0:06	End of half
CIN	Q3 15:00	8	36	4:57	Field goal
TB	Q3 10:03	10	38	6:22	Field goal
CIN	Q3 3:41	3	5	1:25	Interception
CIN	Q3 2:16	8	43	3:12	Field goal
TB	Q4 14:04	6	16	3:33	Fumble
CIN	Q4 10:31	8	31	5:12	Field goal
TB	Q4 5:19	7	51	2:00	Touchdown
CIN	Q4 3:19	8	59	3:19	End of game

About these numbers

The Bengals' fumble touchdown is counted as a Buccaneers lost fumble, not as a Bengals possession. The Buccaneers' interception touchdown is counted as a Bengals interception, not as a Buccaneers possession. Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Buccaneers vs Bengals Head-to-Head

The Buccaneers and Bengals first met in 1976 and have played 14 times since.

All-time series: 7–7Series tied, 14 meetings since 1976
Postseason: 0No playoff meetings
Largest Buccaneers win: 35–01998
Largest Bengals win: 56–231989

Since 2021

2–0 Bengals lead

2 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. CIN = Bengals win, TB = Buccaneers win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

2026 Wk 1 Buccaneers at Bengals Sun, Sep 13, 2026 CIN 33 TB 27 CIN W
2022 Wk 15 Bengals at Buccaneers, 2022 Wk 15 recap Sun, Dec 18, 2022 CIN 34 TB 23 CIN W

Season to Date (Through Week 3)

The 2026 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Buccaneers vs Bengals
Buccaneers	Stat	Bengals
0-3	Record	2-1

20.7	Points per game	26.7

279.3	Yards per game	323.3

4.7	Yards per play	5.4

26.3	Points allowed per game	21.0

282.7	Yards allowed per game	355.7

Buccaneers vs Bengals Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread: CIN −3.5Bengals covered by 2.5
Total: 50.5Over: 60 points scored (by 9.5)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
Team	Implied	Actual	Difference
Bengals	27.0	33	+6.0
Buccaneers	23.5	27	+3.5

Both offenses beat the market's expectation, and the Fantasy tab shows who cashed in.

Betting Trends

Last 2 meetings: Bengals 2–0 ATS, overs 2–0.

Each team's 2026 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Against the spread: 0–1
Over/under: 1–0
ATS as underdog: 0–1
ATS on the road: 0–1

Cincinnati Bengals

Against the spread: 1–0
Over/under: 1–0
ATS as favorite: 1–0
ATS at home: 1–0

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Buccaneers and Bengals in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Buccaneer or a Bengal, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2026 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Buccaneers vs Bengals Game FAQ

Who won the 2026 Buccaneers vs Bengals Week 1 game?

The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33–27 in Week 1 of the 2026 season. The game was played at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH, on September 13, 2026. See the Bengals' 2026 schedule.

What was the final score of Buccaneers vs Bengals?

The final score was Bengals 33, Buccaneers 27. The Bengals led 24–10 at halftime, and the second half went Buccaneers 17, Bengals 9.

What happened in the Buccaneers vs Bengals game?

Cincinnati led 24–10 at halftime and won 33–27, though Tampa Bay took the second half 17–9. The Bengals finished with a 351–282 edge in total offense and averaged 5.6 yards per play. Bucky Irving led all players with 7 catches for 48 yards, plus 8 carries for 45 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Buccaneers committed 4 turnovers, the Bengals 1.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Buccaneers vs Bengals?

Bucky Irving led the game with 20.3 PPR fantasy points, the RB12 of Week 1, on 7 catches for 48 yards, plus 8 carries for 45 rushing yards and a touchdown. Mike Gesicki was next with 18.8 (TE4). See Bucky Irving's 2026 game log.

Who led Buccaneers vs Bengals in passing, rushing and receiving?

Joe Burrow (CIN) led all passers with 25 of 35 for 254 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Chase Brown (CIN) led in rushing with 16 carries for 56 yards and a touchdown. Mike Gesicki (CIN) led in receiving with 5 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did Bucky Irving score against the Bengals?

Bucky Irving scored 20.3 points in PPR leagues, 16.8 in half-PPR and 13.3 in standard scoring against the Bengals in Week 1 of the 2026 season, on 7 catches for 48 yards, plus 8 carries for 45 rushing yards and a touchdown. He drew 26% of his team's targets.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Buccaneers vs Bengals?

Mike Gesicki outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 18.8 PPR points on 12.2 xFP (+6.6). Baker Mayfield fell furthest short, with 11.6 points on 16.1 xFP (−4.5). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Buccaneers vs Bengals?

Chase Brown had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 20.1 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 18.8. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Bengals beat the Buccaneers?

The Bengals beat the Buccaneers 33–27 because they averaged 5.6 yards per play to 5.4, won the turnover battle 4–1, and outgained them 351–282.

Which team won the turnover battle in Buccaneers vs Bengals?

The Bengals won the turnover battle 4–1: the Buccaneers gave the ball away 4 times and the Bengals 1 time. The Bengals won the game.

What is the all-time Buccaneers vs Bengals record?

The all-time series is tied 7–7 across 14 meetings since 1976.

When did the Buccaneers and Bengals last play before this game?

Before Week 1 of 2026, they last met in the 2022 season on December 18, 2022, when the Bengals beat the Buccaneers 34–23.

What was the closing spread for Buccaneers vs Bengals?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Bengals −3.5, making the Cincinnati Bengals 3.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 50.5. That implied about 27.0 points for the Bengals and 23.5 for the Buccaneers.

Did Buccaneers vs Bengals go over or under the total?

The game went over. The consensus closing total was 50.5, and the teams combined for 60 points, 9.5 over the number.

Who covered the spread in Buccaneers vs Bengals?

The Bengals covered by 2.5 against the closing line of Bengals −3.5. The final margin was 6 points.