Bengals force 4 turnovers, Burrow throws for TD in 33-27 win over the Buccaneers

The Bengals new-look defense forced four turnovers including its first fumble recovery for a TD since 2022 Joe Burrow passed for 254 yards and a touchdown and Cincinnati defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33-27 Sunday.Evan McPherson had three field goals, including from 55 yards and 58 yards, as the Bengals won their opener for the second straight year.Linebacker Boye Mafe and safety Bryan Cook, both signed in free agency, had big games. Both had forced fumbles and recoveries while Mafe also one of Cincinnatis four sacks.WATCH: Bengals fans roar as Dexter Lawrence takes the field at Paycor Stadium Bengals fans roar as Dexter Lawrence takes the field at Paycor StadiumBurrow completed 25 of 35 passes. After a three-and-out on the opening series, the seventh-year franchise quarterback directed the Bengals to points on six of their next seven drives.

The only hiccup was a pick-6 by Tampa Bay rookie linebacker Jeremiah Trotter.Cincinnati scored 24 points off Tampa Bays mistakes. Three were committed by quarterback Baker Mayfield, who signed a $165 million, three-year extension earlier in the week.Mayfield was 23 of 28 passing for 216 yards. Two of the fumbles came while he was sacked and another on a scramble when the Buccaneers were on the verge of scoring.WATCH: Joe Burrow, Dexter Lawrence arrive ahead of Bengals season opener Joe Burrow, Dexter Lawrence arrive ahead of Bengals season openerMayfields 9-yard scramble TD pulled the Buccaneers within six with 3:19 remaining, but Cincinnati ran out the clock.

Burrows 18-yard completion to Tee Higgins to the Bucs 26 on second-and-10 put it out of reach.It is the first time Mayfield has lost an opener in his four seasons with Tampa Bay.Bucs early fumbles play critical roleTampa Bay scored on its first possession when Chase McLaughlin made a 34-yard field goal, but the Buccaneers turned it over on their next three possessions. Cincinnati converted all three fumbles into touchdowns.Mayfield rolled right when he was sacked by Myles Murphy and Barrett Carter at the Buccaneers 26. Demetrius Knight picked up the loose ball at the 27 and went up the sideline for his first NFL touchdown.It was the Bengals first scoop and score since Sam Hubbards 99-yard touchdown in a 2022 wild-card round game against Baltimore.

It also marked the third time that Cincinnatis first touchdown of the season has been supplied by the defense.Burr… CINCINNATI (AP) — The Bengals' new-look defense forced four turnovers — including its first fumble recovery for a TD since 2022 — Joe Burrow passed for 254 yards and a touchdown and Cincinnati defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33-27 Sunday. Evan McPherson had three field goals, including from 55 yards and 58 yards, as the [...]