The Buccaneers’ season opener in Cincinnati has gone off the rails fast, and Tampa Bay is staring at a 24-10 halftime deficit after a first half packed with self-inflicted wounds.
It actually began well enough. The Bucs marched down the field on their opening drive and came away with a field goal, then the defense answered with a three-and-out. After that, though, everything unraveled.
Tampa Bay has already turned it over three times. Baker Mayfield lost the ball twice, including one strip sack that was returned for a touchdown, and Bucky Irving also put one on the ground. Cade Otton added a bad drop, and the offensive line has been overmatched, giving up pressure and sacks while the offense keeps inviting disaster.
The strange part is that Tampa Bay has moved the ball. The Buccaneers have been able to push the ball up and down the field, but none of it matters when the giveaways keep stacking up. Cincinnati’s first 21 points all came off turnovers, and the Bengals have taken full advantage of every mistake.
The defense hasn’t been able to steady things, either. Todd Bowles’ revamped pass rush has not produced much of anything, and Joe Burrow has had a clean enough night to settle in. He finished the half 14-for-20 for 143 yards and a touchdown, while Cincinnati went 4-for-6 on third downs.
There was another setback before halftime, too. Jacob Parrish, Tampa Bay’s top cornerback and one of the few players holding up well in coverage early, left with a back injury and is questionable to return. Benjamin Morrison stepped in for him.
Now the Buccaneers head into the second half with the Bengals receiving the kickoff and a two-score lead already in hand. For Tampa Bay, the formula is simple: protect the football, clean up the coverage, and stop handing Cincinnati easy points. If not, this one could get ugly in a hurry.
In Other News...
Buccaneers May Have Found The Better Answer At Offensive Coordinator
Mike McDaniel was the name most closely linked to the Buccaneers offensive coordinator opening before he opted to join the Chargers, and that decision now looks a little different after one week of football. Tampa Bays offense under Zac Robinson showed real efficiency both through the air and on the ground, even with turnovers getting in the way, giving the Bucs reason to feel encouraged about the direction of the unit early on.
Meanwhile, the Chargers offense with McDaniel had a rougher opening against the Arizona Cardinals, which only sharpens the contrast between the two situations. It is far too early to draw any hard conclusions from one Sunday, but Tampa Bays first look under Robinson made the case that the better fit may already be in place, even if the offseason chase ended another way. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers' Cade Otton Decision Already Looks Tougher To Defend
Cade Ottons new contract was supposed to settle one of the quieter questions surrounding the Buccaneers offense, but his Week 1 showing made the discussion linger a little longer. After signing a three-year, $30 million extension, Otton finished Tampa Bays loss with three catches for 30 yards and had a notable drop, a start that did little to quiet scrutiny around how the Bucs are valuing him at tight end.
The comparison only gets sharper when Isaiah Likelys debut is in the mix. Likely, who signed a three-year, $40 million deal with the Giants, opened with eight receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns, and Pro Football Focus also gave him a better run-blocking grade than Otton in 2025. For Tampa Bay, the issue is not just whether Otton can bounce back, but whether the extension already looks harder to justify than it did when it was signed. [Read more 🡒]
Todd Bowles Just Sent An Encouraging Message About Bucs Rookie WR
Ted Hursts first NFL game gave the Buccaneers something to look at beyond the final score. The rookie wide receiver was on the field for about 75% of the offensive snaps in the season opener against the Bengals, and he made the most of the opportunity with three catches for 36 yards. Todd Bowles came away pleased with what he saw, pointing to Hursts ability to create separation, work open when targeted and compete for contested throws.
There is still development ahead, as Bowles made clear, but the early usage suggests the Bucs are willing to trust Hurst quickly. For a young receiver trying to carve out a role, the combination of playing time and a solid debut matters, especially on a team that will keep looking for reliable options to complement its passing game. The question now is how much more the rookie can add as the season moves along. [Read more 🡒]