Baker Mayfield put the ball on the ground three times and Cincinnati turned the mistakes into 24 points. Watch Buccaneers vs Bengals highlights on FOX Sports or stream on FOX One. The Week 1 game of the 2026 NFL season came from Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. PT.

The Bengals won 33-27, and Demetrius Knight’s scoop and score was their first defensive fumble return for a touchdown since Sam Hubbard went 99 yards in the 2022 wild-card round.

Buccaneers vs Bengals Highlights

Cincinnati recovered four fumbles, the first time it had done that in a game since 2007, forcing them on three consecutive drives in the first half and once more in the fourth quarter. The rebuilt front was the reason: Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen inside, Boye Mafe on the edge with a forced fumble and a recovery, safety Bryan Cook with the same pair. Evan McPherson went 4 for 4 on field goals from as far as 58, which is how 33 points arrived with one Joe Burrow touchdown pass. You can stream Buccaneers vs Bengals recaps on FOX One. FOX One brings together live FOX NFL games, highlights, expert coverage, and live and on-demand FOX programming, all in one place. Start your 3-day free trial and stream on supported devices.

Where to Watch Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Cincinnati Bengals Football

Cincinnati Bengals Schedule

Upcoming

Sunday, Oct 11, 2026

Sunday, Nov 8, 2026

Tuesday, Nov 24, 2026

Sunday, Dec 13, 2026

Sunday, Dec 20, 2026


Completed

Sunday, Sep 13, 2026

This is one of the league’s rarer pairings, an AFC North club and an NFC South club that meet only when the conference rotation brings them together, which is why the series is short enough for single games to define it. The two franchises have never met in the postseason. Tampa Bay’s history in Cincinnati runs through the 2018 shootout era rather than anything recent, and the 2026 opener was the first meeting at Paycor Stadium in some time.