Well, our fast starts vs Bengals slow september starts had me wanting to vote yes….but our CB room made me vote “not sure”…i mean Burrow, Chase and Higgins.
I think we can pull out a win if our pass rush looks like its supposed to…and Bengals D isnt that scary.
This is arguably one of the toughest games for a season opener the Bucs have had in several years…
Continuity and battle tested are on the side of the Bengals!
I voted not sure too. I know we have question marks in the secondary. Guess what the Bengals do well. I saw no particular reason to believe either the run game nor special teams will be much improved, though I know it was just preseason. I’m going to watch a football game and decide from there.
I’d like to think we’ll win and am hoping for a victory but…the last half of last year still sticks in my mind. When I looked at the last five games of the 2025 season, Saints, Falcons, Panthers, Dolphins and Panthers again, I thought these would be layups, that we’d waltz into the playoffs. All we had to do was win two of five; we went 1-4.
Which Buc team shows up in Cincy on Sunday? We’re weaker on offense this year with Evans leaving for San Fran (did you see him catch a TD for the Niners?). We should be stronger on defense with the addition of Bain but he’s a rookie and the Bengals left OT is Orlando Brown, a seasoned pro. We lost L. David to retirement, gained Anzalone – that’s a push.
I love this match up because we will either shock the NFL world or get a reality check early against a good team. Is our defense is as good as we think it is? Did our new OC actually surprise the defense with his playcalling? We Bain the player we needed? Did all of the extensions solidify our key players performance week one or was it a big distraction all summer? Is Bucky truly back?
Somebody help me!! Did cincy fall apart last season due to injuries? It seems like they’ve had solid qb play and they still haven’t gotten over the hump? Oh wait they’ve won more seasonal games and made it to a SB..For that reason they have a better coach?? I still feel that some of these “Tampa fans would whine about that perfect success Cincy has had the past few seasons…
Good grief, for the “not sure” haters,,,,,,who whine and cry about anything….I have us as yes on the next 3 games…..it’s a calculated answer…get a life for once lol
How complete of a game can we play out the gate is my biggest question. Can we find the rhythm and continuity in execution in all 3 phases. I’m not looking for perfection, but I do want to see some cohesion. Whether it be the offense finding some efficiency rep to rep or drive to drive, and can this defense play up to the challenge of facing what could be a formidable offense.
My only thing, that’s going undermentioned is that the Bengals are a first real test of this front facing an offense that generally lives and dies via its pass game. I’m that way, at least defensively they’ll be playing a brand of football that’ll temperature check this defense right away and I’m looking forward to seeing how our guys do.
Too much doom, gloom, and being spooked about the Cincy offense. I think our front starters and depth have a decent of enough chance to take this game over.
This years worthless preseason games? Although I do not agree with Joe on calling them worthless for several reasons. This year we got very little clue as to what this squad will look like. I have no idea at all this year. Usually I get some sort of feel for it…Not this year. Half dozen plays from the starters and the rest was a circus trying to decipher who was gonna make the second and third team.
garro… I’m only guessing here…but I think some fans are conflicted because they want Bowls gone, and if the Bucs do well, they won’t get their wish…in theory.
Personally, I hope we get the ring. Bowles would retire on a high note.
Which team will show up? Will they play complete ball in all 3 phases?…Toughest game in the world… I can say that about both teams!! WTF!! Cincinnati is in mid season form in wk1 Burrow is healthy with 2500 yards 20 td’s thrown going into wk 1… Double standard in Tampa fans, Stupid Girls
Bowles early season record, Bakers record in Cincy, a re fortified front… all things making me believe.
As far as tough openers go… I don’t see this as any tougher than 2 of the last 3 years. Baker went into Minny vs an eventual 14 win Sam Darnold led Vikings team and Bucs got the W. Last year was a division game vs the team a lot of people thought would win the division.
The question should be “do YOU think the Bucs will win?”. Will they win? No one actually knows that. Do I think they’ll win, no. Do I want them to win, yes. I think they’ve been jinxed by the fast start of the Bucs and slow start of the bengals talk.
September 12th, 2026 at 8:51 am
The Bucs usually win the early games…But I still have zero faith in Todd Bowles, both as a HC and DC.
September 12th, 2026 at 9:00 am
Healthy O-line, healthy Baker and good running game to keep Burrow off the field.
Much better D-line front 7 and ILB.
I wish Licht had gotten us a friggin CB, but I believe in Parrish will do ok, and we have one of the best safeties in the NFL in Winfield.
The Bucs have to put up at least 28 pts.
September 12th, 2026 at 9:08 am
Unknown perspectives
Wouldn’t have a clue. Let’s try this again once they play a game so we can see what weve got here…
September 12th, 2026 at 9:18 am
Y
September 12th, 2026 at 9:25 am
• Yes
September 12th, 2026 at 9:27 am
Well, our fast starts vs Bengals slow september starts had me wanting to vote yes….but our CB room made me vote “not sure”…i mean Burrow, Chase and Higgins.
I think we can pull out a win if our pass rush looks like its supposed to…and Bengals D isnt that scary.
September 12th, 2026 at 9:32 am
This is arguably one of the toughest games for a season opener the Bucs have had in several years…
Continuity and battle tested are on the side of the Bengals!
September 12th, 2026 at 9:47 am
Bucs 30
Bengals 29
LFG!!!!!!!
September 12th, 2026 at 9:53 am
I voted not sure too. I know we have question marks in the secondary. Guess what the Bengals do well. I saw no particular reason to believe either the run game nor special teams will be much improved, though I know it was just preseason. I’m going to watch a football game and decide from there.
September 12th, 2026 at 10:20 am
Where’s the fun in voting not sure!?
September 12th, 2026 at 10:34 am
I hate the way every pre-game poll is worded. What are we, soothsayers?
September 12th, 2026 at 10:37 am
I’d like to think we’ll win and am hoping for a victory but…the last half of last year still sticks in my mind. When I looked at the last five games of the 2025 season, Saints, Falcons, Panthers, Dolphins and Panthers again, I thought these would be layups, that we’d waltz into the playoffs. All we had to do was win two of five; we went 1-4.
Which Buc team shows up in Cincy on Sunday? We’re weaker on offense this year with Evans leaving for San Fran (did you see him catch a TD for the Niners?). We should be stronger on defense with the addition of Bain but he’s a rookie and the Bengals left OT is Orlando Brown, a seasoned pro. We lost L. David to retirement, gained Anzalone – that’s a push.
September 12th, 2026 at 10:43 am
They better win otherwise there would be no reason to take the 2026 Bucs seriously.
September 12th, 2026 at 10:51 am
Bowles doesn’t pass,kick, catch,or run the ball..
September 12th, 2026 at 10:55 am
I love this match up because we will either shock the NFL world or get a reality check early against a good team. Is our defense is as good as we think it is? Did our new OC actually surprise the defense with his playcalling? We Bain the player we needed? Did all of the extensions solidify our key players performance week one or was it a big distraction all summer? Is Bucky truly back?
September 12th, 2026 at 11:03 am
Not sure is a cop out. None of us is sure. Whether we vote yes or no.
September 12th, 2026 at 11:07 am
Somebody help me!! Did cincy fall apart last season due to injuries? It seems like they’ve had solid qb play and they still haven’t gotten over the hump? Oh wait they’ve won more seasonal games and made it to a SB..For that reason they have a better coach?? I still feel that some of these “Tampa fans would whine about that perfect success Cincy has had the past few seasons…
September 12th, 2026 at 11:33 am
Good grief, for the “not sure” haters,,,,,,who whine and cry about anything….I have us as yes on the next 3 games…..it’s a calculated answer…get a life for once lol
September 12th, 2026 at 11:59 am
How complete of a game can we play out the gate is my biggest question. Can we find the rhythm and continuity in execution in all 3 phases. I’m not looking for perfection, but I do want to see some cohesion. Whether it be the offense finding some efficiency rep to rep or drive to drive, and can this defense play up to the challenge of facing what could be a formidable offense.
My only thing, that’s going undermentioned is that the Bengals are a first real test of this front facing an offense that generally lives and dies via its pass game. I’m that way, at least defensively they’ll be playing a brand of football that’ll temperature check this defense right away and I’m looking forward to seeing how our guys do.
Too much doom, gloom, and being spooked about the Cincy offense. I think our front starters and depth have a decent of enough chance to take this game over.
September 12th, 2026 at 12:04 pm
Yes
1-0
Go Bucs!
September 12th, 2026 at 12:06 pm
By the end of this season, we’ll all be singing the praises for our secondary.
We have a lot more than Parrish.
September 12th, 2026 at 12:06 pm
This years worthless preseason games? Although I do not agree with Joe on calling them worthless for several reasons. This year we got very little clue as to what this squad will look like. I have no idea at all this year. Usually I get some sort of feel for it…Not this year. Half dozen plays from the starters and the rest was a circus trying to decipher who was gonna make the second and third team.
Go Bucs!
September 12th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
3rd and 28. Never forget. Fire Bowls.
September 12th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
garro… I’m only guessing here…but I think some fans are conflicted because they want Bowls gone, and if the Bucs do well, they won’t get their wish…in theory.
Personally, I hope we get the ring. Bowles would retire on a high note.
September 12th, 2026 at 12:12 pm
SOFIERCE, 28 is also the points of we need to keep the Bengals, according to Joe.
September 12th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
Which team will show up? Will they play complete ball in all 3 phases?…Toughest game in the world… I can say that about both teams!! WTF!! Cincinnati is in mid season form in wk1 Burrow is healthy with 2500 yards 20 td’s thrown going into wk 1… Double standard in Tampa fans, Stupid Girls
September 12th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
@sofierce.. You’ve got 3rd and 28 confused with sept.11th…UGH .. WTF! Just a game!
September 12th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
After the way SF manhandled the Rams, who knows?
This is going to be a fascinating season.
September 12th, 2026 at 12:54 pm
Yes!
Tampa Bain and big sexy, vita Vea, have a game to wreck.
September 12th, 2026 at 12:56 pm
I think Bucs win.
Bowles early season record, Bakers record in Cincy, a re fortified front… all things making me believe.
As far as tough openers go… I don’t see this as any tougher than 2 of the last 3 years. Baker went into Minny vs an eventual 14 win Sam Darnold led Vikings team and Bucs got the W. Last year was a division game vs the team a lot of people thought would win the division.
No excuses.
September 12th, 2026 at 1:00 pm
Until this defense proves me wrong there isn’t a chance in heLL I’m sorry…they are going to put up 50 points. PRAYING they prove me wrong
September 12th, 2026 at 1:13 pm
W!
Bucs 27 – Bengals 23
September 12th, 2026 at 1:26 pm
L Bengals 31 Bucs 17
September 12th, 2026 at 1:29 pm
The question should be “do YOU think the Bucs will win?”. Will they win? No one actually knows that. Do I think they’ll win, no. Do I want them to win, yes. I think they’ve been jinxed by the fast start of the Bucs and slow start of the bengals talk.
September 12th, 2026 at 1:43 pm
The Bengals haven’t been to the playoffs since 2022. I’m sure there is pressure on a few players and coaches on their sideline, too.