In their first preseason game, the Cincinnati Bengals faced off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs ultimately took the win, defeating the Bengals 17-14.
Game Highlights and Key Moments
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading scores throughout the four quarters. For a detailed breakdown of each scoring play, check out the scoring summary.
One of the biggest turning points came when Joe Jones intercepted a pass and ran it back for a touchdown, shifting the momentum in a big way.
While the box score has all the details on individual player stats, it’s worth noting that Joe Jones had a standout performance, with his pick-six being a major highlight.
Team Statistics and Analysis
Let’s dig into the numbers to understand how the Buccaneers pulled off the win against the Bengals.
Offensive Performance
Tampa Bay outgained Cincinnati in total net yards, racking up 390 compared to the Bengals’ 288. A deeper look into passing and rushing stats would reveal more about each team’s offensive strengths and weaknesses in this particular game.
Penalties and Time of Possession
The Buccaneers played a cleaner game, committing only 3 penalties compared to the Bengals’ 8. This discipline likely contributed to their significant advantage in time of possession: Tampa Bay controlled the ball for 36 minutes and 26 seconds, while Cincinnati had possession for just 23 minutes and 34 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Tom Brady ever lost to the Bengals?
Yes, Tom Brady has lost to the Cincinnati Bengals. Before the Bengals’ 2022 Week 15 victory, Brady was 6-0 against them. This Week 15 loss marked his first defeat against the Bengals. Brady’s overall record is impressive, but even legends have their off days and matchups that don’t go their way.
Why did the Bengals go for 2 points?
Coaches often opt for a two-point conversion when analytics suggest it increases their win probability, or due to specific game situations. In this particular game, the Bengals may have chosen to go for two due to the score, time remaining, or their confidence in their offensive play call. These decisions are strategic and based on a variety of factors.
Are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers eliminated from the playoffs?
Whether or not the Buccaneers are eliminated from playoff contention depends on their performance in subsequent games and the outcomes of other teams in their conference. Even with a loss, they might still have a path to the playoffs depending on tiebreakers and other scenarios. Be sure to check the latest NFL standings for the most up-to-date information.
Key Takeaways
In the preseason opener, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looked sharper on offense than the Cincinnati Bengals. The Buccaneers walked away with a 1-0 record, while the Bengals started the preseason 0-1.
If you’d like to see the plays for yourself, you can find full game highlights and additional coverage on the NFL website and app.