Photo by Lordstown Motors (CC BY 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons

4 key matchups to watch for in Bengals vs. Buccaneers

The Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers kick off their 2026 campaigns Sunday afternoon at Paycor Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.

Both franchises look to bounce back from challenging previous years; Tampa Bay concluded its prior slate at 8-9 despite an initial 6-2 surge, whereas Cincinnati tumbled to a 6-11 finish in the wake of quarterback Joe Burrow being sidelined. Heading into the season opener, CBS Sports analyst Pete Prisco foresees a tight contest ending in a 29-28 victory for the home team.

The visiting Buccaneers face immediate personnel hurdles on their injury sheet. Offensive lineman Justin Skule is dealing with an oblique issue, pass-catcher Jalen McMillan is nursing a knee ailment, and rusher Sean Tucker is hampered by a hamstring problem, leaving all three doubtful following restricted practice participation on Friday.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati looks ahead with offensive tackle Amarius Mims, who previously endured a 41-38 overtime defeat against Baltimore at Paycor Stadium in October 2024.

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