The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicked off their 2024 preseason campaign with a 27-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite a slow start, the Bucs found their rhythm in the second half to pull away for the win.
Coming off a disappointing end to their 2023 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looked to start their year off on the right foot in their preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bengals struck first on a field goal by Evan McPherson, putting the Bucs in an early 3-0 hole. The Buccaneers offense struggled to find any consistency in the first half, with quarterback Kyle Trask completing just 5 of his 14 pass attempts for 35 yards.
Bucs Begin Preseason with Victory over Bengals
However, the Bucs' defense kept them in the game, intercepting Bengals quarterback Jake Browning twice. The second interception, by cornerback Zyon McCollum, was returned for a touchdown to give the Bucs their first score of the preseason.
The Buccaneers took the lead in the third quarter on a 2-yard touchdown run by running back Leonard Fournette, and they never looked back. Trask began to find his rhythm, completing 10 of his 17 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown in the second half.
Wide receiver Mike Evans hauled in a 35-yard touchdown pass from Trask in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach for the Bengals. Overall, the Buccaneers' offense finished the game with 350 total yards, including 163 rushing yards.
The Bengals were unable to generate much offense against the Buccaneers' stout defense. Browning finished the game with 165 passing yards and two interceptions, while running back Samaje Perine rushed for 47 yards.
The Buccaneers' victory is a positive sign as they prepare for the regular season. The defense looked strong, and the offense showed signs of improvement in the second half. The Buccaneers will face the Cleveland Browns in their second preseason game next week.
- Kyle Trask: 15/31, 160 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
- Blaine Gabbert: 2/7, 25 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
- Leonard Fournette: 10 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD
- Ke'Shawn Vaughn: 8 carries, 47 yards
- Rachaad White: 6 carries, 38 yards
- Mike Evans: 4 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD
- Russell Gage: 4 receptions, 52 yards
- Jake Browning: 18/31, 165 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT
- Brandon Allen: 5/9, 73 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
- Samaje Perine: 13 carries, 47 yards
- Chris Evans: 6 carries, 25 yards
- Tyler Boyd: 4 receptions, 53 yards
- Tee Higgins: 3 receptions, 47 yards
