The Bengals had a makeover of their defense in the offseason after ranking 31st in yards and 30th in points last season. They showed off their new look on Sunday.
The Bengals allowed only 282 yards, forced four fumbles they recovered and had four sacks in a 33-27 win over the Buccaneers.
Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield lost three fumbles â one that Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. returned 27 yards for a touchdown and another into the end zone that safety Bryan Cook recovered. Running back Bucky Irving also lost a fumble.
Still, Mayfield gave the Bucs a chance with a 9-yard touchdown run with 3:19 left. Joe Burrow, though, drove the Bengals 54 yards in eight plays, allowing the clock to expire on Tampa BayâÂÂs comeback.
Burrow went 25-of-35 for 254 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Bucs rookie Josiah Trotter intercepted Burrow on a third-and-5 pass intended for Andrei Iosivas and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown.
BurrowâÂÂs touchdown was a 2-yard throw to tight end Mike Gesicki, who had five catches for 78 yards. JaâÂÂMarr Chase had only two catches for 12 yards.
Evan McPherson kicked field goals of 20, 55, 58 and 32 yards.