On Sunday, the Cincinnati Bengals hit the field at home vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to open up the 2026 NFL season. The Buccaneers quickly took a 3-0 lead in this game, but Cincinnati took over from there, eventually going up 14-3 later on in the first half.

The Bengals' first points of the season came on a fumble from Tampa Bay, with Demetrius Knight Jr. scooping it up and taking it all the way back to the house to give his team an early 7-3 lead.

Demetrius Knight Jr. gets the scoop and score as the Bengals take the lead off of a Buccanneers' fumble 🔥pic.twitter.com/RICYaM1TDY

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 13, 2026

Later, Greg Auman of FOX Sports noted on X, formerly Twitter, that the “Bucs (had) a second turnover in the opening quarter, with Bucky Irving losing a fumble to set Bengals up at the Cincinnati 33. Bengals looking to build on a 7-3 lead early.”

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The Bengals' defense has been a major issue over the last few seasons, playing a big role in the team not making the playoffs over the last three years, despite some elite production from Joe Burrow and the team's offense.

The Cincinnati brass finally made some strides to fix that issue this offseason by going out and making several moves, including the recent blockbuster trade for former New York Giants pass rusher Dexter Lawrence, among others.

While it remains to be seen whether this turnover was an anomaly or a sign of things to come, Burrow and Bengals fans will both be happy to see the new-look Bengals defense making some waves early.

The Bengals will next hit the field next Sunday against the Houston Texans.