Bengals defense shows improvement in Week 1 victory over Buccaneers

The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33-27 in their season opener on September 13, 2026. Cincinnati's defense, bolstered by significant offseason investments totaling $138.7 million, generated four turnovers and recorded four sacks. Key contributors included new additions Bryan Cook, Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen, and Dexter Lawrence, who combined for impactful plays. Despite allowing 27 points, the Bengals' defensive performance marked a substantial improvement compared to last season's struggles, when they allowed an average of 28.9 points per game. Cincinnati aims to build on this momentum as the season progresses and their defense continues to develop.

• 11:25 AMCBS NFL — Cover 32: Bengals see early returns from big offseason investment, plus game balls, biggest gaffes from Week 1