Game preview: Bucs @ Bengals

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won't have much time to ease into the 2026 season. Their first test comes Sunday on the road against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals , giving Tampa Bay 's revamped defense an immediate opportunity to show whether its offseason changes can translate to Sundays.

Both teams are trying to get back to the postseason after disappointing 2025 campaigns. As Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com noted in his Week 1 preview, Tampa Bay started last season 6-2 before finishing 8-9, while Cincinnati went 6-11 after a toe injury sidelined Burrow for nine games. Both responded by investing heavily in their defenses, which creates a much different matchup than last year's numbers might suggest.

Tampa Bay's biggest challenge will be slowing down an offense that doesn't have many obvious weaknesses when healthy. Burrow is back alongside Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and running back Chase Brown , giving Cincinnati the type of passing attack that can punish a defense quickly if the quarterback is allowed to operate comfortably. For the Bucs, that puts even more importance on the new-look front featuring first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr., Yaya Diaby , Calijah Kancey , Vita Vea and offseason additions A'Shawn Robinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad .

The matchup between that group and Cincinnati's offensive line could determine how aggressive Todd Bowles needs to be. Tampa Bay invested in its front with the hope of generating more pressure without constantly having to manufacture it with extra rushers. If Bain, Diaby and Kancey can disrupt Burrow while the Bucs keep more defenders available in coverage, Zyon McCollum , Jacob Parrish and the secondary will have a much better chance against Chase and Higgins.

The Bengals will present a similar challenge for Tampa Bay's offense after rebuilding their defensive front. Cincinnati added Dexter Lawrence II, Jonathan Allen and Boye Mafe during the offseason, giving the Bengals considerably more talent up front than they had a year ago. Bowles called the group "strong" and "very disruptive," and the Bucs will counter with what should be one of their biggest strengths entering the season: a healthy offensive line.

Tristan Wirfs , Ben Bredeson , Graham Barton , Cody Mauch and Luke Goedeke are all back, giving Baker Mayfield the protection he rarely had consistently during Tampa Bay's injury-filled 2025 season. The Bucs also have Bucky Irving healthy again and added Kenny Gainwell to the backfield, giving the offense another receiving option who can create mismatches underneath.

Wide receiver is where Tampa Bay enters Sunday with the biggest question. Jalen McMillan is doubtful with a knee injury after being limited throughout the week, but Emeka Egbuka has no game designation after practicing Wednesday through Friday. If McMillan can't play, rookie Ted Hurst III could see an increased role alongside Egbuka and Chris Godwin .

That makes Mayfield's ability to spread the football particularly important. Cincinnati's defense has changed too much to rely on its 2025 weaknesses, but Tampa Bay still has options to attack it. Godwin and Egbuka can stress the secondary, Cade Otton gives Mayfield a target over the middle, and Irving and Gainwell can contribute as receivers out of the backfield.

A high-scoring game is hard to ignore. Cincinnati is favored by 3.5 points and the over/under sits at 50.5, but Tampa Bay doesn't want to spend the afternoon simply trying to match Burrow touchdown for touchdown. The Bucs spent the offseason adding size, physicality, and depth to a defense that needed to improve, and Sunday's opener offers about as difficult a first evaluation as they could get.

Tampa Bay has also made a habit of starting seasons well, winning five consecutive Week 1 games entering Sunday. Making it six will require the Bucs to protect Mayfield against Cincinnati's rebuilt defensive line while finding a way to disrupt Burrow without exposing their secondary. If Tampa Bay's front-seven changes have the intended effect, the Bucs have enough offensive firepower to leave Cincinnati 1-0.

The Bucs and Bengals kick off at 1 p.m. ET Sunday at Paycor Stadium, and the game will air on FOX.