Entering the week fresh off a divisional win over the Browns, and on a large winning streak, the Bengals were looking to keep it going in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers were coming off an embarrassing loss to the 49ers, and haven’t looked great this year. Still, facing a pissed off Tom Brady at home is never the time to take a win for granted. Especially given the recent injury struggles faced by the Bengals. They were forced to play this one without starters Trey Hendrickson and Mike Hilton, as well as would-be fill-in, Jalen Davis.
Things looked promising on the opening drive for the Bengals. They had done well to advance the ball to the Tampa 40, but a tipped pass led to an interception. This essentially killed momentum for the rest of the half, as they were unable to get much of anything going afterwards.
The Buccaneers, meanwhile, went on 10+ play drives on each of their first two possessions. They were only able to turn the initial interception into 3 points, but Russell Gage TD was the result of the second. 10-0 Bucs.
After they a missed 50 yard field goal, the Bucs would then go on another 10 play drive. This one totaled 85 yards. Godwin had been a consistent target for Brady up to this point, and it continued on this drive. Though silent on this drive, Mike Evans had also been having a big game, up to this point. The drive ended with a 5 yard TD from Brady to Godwin, putting the Bucs up 17-0.
With 1:39 left on the clock, the Bengals operated the two minute drill. They moved the ball extremely well against a soft Buccaneers defence, with Chase and Boyd each making a couple of plays. However, after catching a dump off, Perine cut inside instead of going out, forcing the Bengals to spike the ball with just a few seconds left. McPherson converted a 41 yard attempt, making the score 17-3 Buccaneers at the half.
Luck quickly picked up for the Bengals in the 2nd half. Tampa’s first drive resulted in some sort of botched punt, involving former Bengal Giovani Bernard. The ball was turned over on downs at the TB 16. Unfortunately, the Bengals could only come away with a field goal. 17-6 Bucs.
On the next Tampa drive, Brady was picked off by Tre Flowers. This turnover also came deep in Buccaneer territory. This time, the 31 yard line. A defensive holding call on the Buccaneers negated a 23 yard 4th down sack, instead extending the Bengals drive. A handful of plays later, Burrow found Higgins for the 5 yard TD. An underhand pass, similar to that run by the Chiefs, was attempted on the 2 point conversion try, but did not succeed. 17-12 Bucs.
The turnover spree continued on the next Bucs drive. Logan Wilson got into the backfield for the strip sack. Joseph Ossai recovered the fumble at the Tampa 13. After a few plays, Burrow completed a quick 3 yard pass to Boyd for the TD. The 2 point attempt was successful, with Higgins making the catch in the endzone. 20-17 Bengals, who had their first lead of the game.
A botched handoff between Brady and Fournette led to yet another turnover. Something you don’t see often from a Tom Brady led team. DJ Reader was the one who ended up with the ball. The offence, starting at the TB 39, went back to work. There were a couple of short plays, before Mitchell Wilcox contributed a 19 yard catch. Two plays later, Burrow found Chase for an 8 yard TD. 27-17 Bengals.
Fast forward to around the midway mark of the 4th quarter, same score, the Bengals were looking to wear down the clock. They went on a great 13 play drive, grinding out every yard little by little. They ended up chewing 6:57 off the clock. That number could have been even larger had they not found the endzone. This score was a Mitchell Wilcox 12 yarder. 34-17.
Playing soft coverage, the Bengals did allow a garbage time TD. It was another one for Gage. They failed their 2 point conversion try, leaving the score at 34-17, which is how it ended.
It was a gutsy road win for the Bengals. Their record improves to 10-4 on the season. With Baltimore’s loss to the Browns on Saturday, Cincinnati sits atop the AFC North for the first time this season. They will travel to New England next week to take on the Patriots.
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