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Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Rapid Reaction: Bucs 17, Bengals 14

The Buccaneers defeated the Bengals in Preseason Week One, 17-14

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Cincinnati Bengals, 17-14 on the road in Preseason Week One. The Buccaneers revitalized run game set the tone, culminating in a Ramon Jefferson touchdown rush in the last minute of regulation.

The Bengals scored on their opening offensive drive, which was capped off by a Joe Burrow connection to Tee Higgins. Cincinnati took an early 7-0 lead on a 12-play, 73-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard score by Higgins. Kaevon Merriweather had a strong opening possession for the Bucs' defense, producing a pass breakup and a tackle for loss. The Bucs' offense and the Bengals' offense then traded three-and-outs.

Kyle Trask went five-of-seven for 68 yards on the next drive, including a connection of 24 yards with Ryan Miller, 19 with Jalen McMillan and 21 with Trey Palmer. Rookie running back Bucky Irving finished the drive, running it up the middle for a five-yard touchdown, evening the score at seven. After a three-and-out for the Bengals' offense, Kyle Trask was intercepted on the ensuing drive. Trask's pass intended for Miller on a corner route was picked off by Josh Newton, putting Todd Bowles' defense back on the field. Vi Jones collapsed the pocket around Jake Browning off a zone pressure and forced a quick pass. Tykee Smith followed the critical third-down play with a hit on Tanner Hudson.

On the following drive, despite a 28-yard gain by Rakim Jarrett off a lethal stutter-step release, a 10-yard holding penalty put the Bucs' behind the chains. Chase McLaughlin missed a 51-yard attempt, keeping the score tied at seven inside Paycor Stadium. The Bucs then received a momentum shift in the form of a takeaway. Keenan Isaac picked off Browning at the Tampa Bay 15-yard line, putting Kyle Trask and company in favorable field position. However, the Bucs were not able to cash in with a score. Trask was sacked on third down for a loss of 10 yards, halting the drive. Before the intermission, Evan McPherson's 58-yard kick was wide right.

In the third quarter, a 26-yard run by Sean Tucker became the catalyst. Behind pullers, Tucker made a lethal cut and picked up yardage. McLaughlin made a 35-yard field goal attempting, giving the Bucs a 10-7 advantage. Both offenses stalled until early in the fourth quarter. Tampa Bay marched down to the Cincinnati three-yard line following several bootleg plays by John Wolford, which maximized the quarterback's athleticism. The Bucs went for it on fourth down, but an incomplete pass and an offensive holding penalty ended the promising drive. The matchup turned into a defensive struggle until the Bengals reached the end zone with 3:33 on the clock. Logan Woodside connected with rookie Jermaine Burton on a 37-yard touchdown, giving the home team a 14-10 advantage. Just under a minute to go on the clock, the Bucs' drew a defensive pass interference penalty and got another shot at the end zone. The offensive line pushed Ramon Jefferson across the goal line on a three-yard touchdown rush, giving the visiting club a 17-14 lead. After several incompletions by the Bengals, the Buccaneers came out victorious.

View the top photos of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Preseason Week 1 game vs the Cincinnati Bengals.

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