Game recap: Bengals comeback to upend Buccaneers in second half showdown

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cincinnati Bengals faced off on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in a highly anticipated matchup between two playoff contenders. In the end, it was the Bengals who came out on top, defeating the Buccaneers 34-23.

The Buccaneers started strong, with quarterback Tom Brady throwing for 194 yards and two touchdowns in the first half to help Tampa Bay take a 17-3 lead into halftime. However, things started to unravel for the Buccaneers in the second half, as they committed five straight turnovers, including four by Brady. This allowed the Bengals to score 34 unanswered points and complete the comeback victory.

Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow had a solid outing, completing 27 of 39 passes for 200 yards and four touchdowns. His main target was wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who caught seven passes for 60 yards and a touchdown. The Bengals also received contributions from receivers Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins, and Mitchell Wilcox, who all scored touchdowns.

The Buccaneers defence played well, holding the Bengals to 237 total yards and 53 yards rushing. However, they were unable to generate any turnovers or sacks in the second half, which proved to be their downfall.

Linebacker Lavonte David led the Buccaneers with eight total tackles, while safety Mike Edwards and cornerback Carlton Davis also contributed with five tackles each. Davis had a standout performance, recording four passes defended and an interception.

In the end, the Buccaneers’ inability to hold onto the ball proved to be their downfall. Despite out gaining the Bengals 396 to 237 in total yards, the Buccaneers were unable to overcome the four interceptions and one fumble committed by Brady. The Bengals took advantage of these mistakes and capitalised on the opportunities given to them, ultimately securing the victory.

Here are some takeaways for both teams from an eventful game.

Bengals defense comes up at the right time

The Cincinnati Bengals defence had a rocky start to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, allowing the Bucs to drive for four scoring chances in the first half. However, the defence turned things around in the second half and played a key role in the team’s comeback victory.

Tre Flowers had a huge interception, Logan Wilson strip-sacked Tom Brady, D.J. Reader recovered a fumble, and Germaine Pratt made a diving pick of Brady.

Despite missing key players such as Trey Hendrickson, Sam Hubbard, Mike Hilton, Chidobe Awuzie, and Cam Taylor-Britt, the Bengals defence managed to make plays and steal the Buccaneers’ souls, helping the offence score 34 unanswered points.

The defence showed flashes of what helped them get to the Super Bowl and with a hold on the AFC North after the Baltimore Ravens loss, they will hope to secure the division and lead the conference.

Slow start erased by explosion

The Cincinnati Bengals have a tendency to start games slowly, but they have the ability to turn things around quickly, as demonstrated by their 34-0 run against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Bengals struggled in the first half, running only 14 plays and falling behind 17-0, but they were able to find their rhythm and score quickly once they began to get going. Joe Burrow’s quick thinking and his receivers’ ability to get open make them a tough team to beat once they start playing well.

However, the Bengals have had issues with slow starts in three out of their last four games, and they will need to address this issue if they hope to be successful in the playoffs.

Burrow is on fire!

In the beginning of the season many had reservations about whether the LSU quarterback could somewhat replicate the extraordinary season he had last year leading the Bengals to the Super Bowl.

Through the first half of the season it looked like Burrow could not get anything going as he was sacked countlessly and his defence could not protect him like they did last season. It got to the point where people were wondering ‘can this team succeed with a player who is not performing well on offence?’

Well, Burrow heard his critics and has been on a tear, he ranks as the second QB with the most touchdowns only behind Patrick Mahomes and has been floating around the top half of QB in statistical figures such as yards, touchdowns (31), touchdown percentages, passes attempted and completed.

While Burrow is not in the MVP discussion as much as Mahomes and Josh Allen are, he has sneakily helped propel his team to a 10-4 record and atop of the AFC North. Burrow has that fire in his eyes and he will continue to do so until he can win it all.

Brady lacking care with ball

Tom Brady’s lack of ball care was a major factor in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 34-23 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. The veteran quarterback committed four turnovers in the second half, including two fumbles and two interceptions, which proved costly as the Bengals scored 34 unanswered points to complete the comeback victory.

This was a particularly concerning issue for Brady, as he has a reputation for being a quarterback who takes care of the ball and rarely makes mistakes. The Buccaneers’ offence was moving the ball well in the first half, but Brady’s inability to protect the ball in the second half allowed the Bengals to gain momentum and take control of the game.

It was clear that the Buccaneers’ offensive struggles in the second half were largely due to Brady’s lack of ball care, and he will need to improve in this area if the team is to bounce back in their next game and have a shot of winning the division and keeping the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons at bay.

Bucs playoff hopes in the balance?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ playoff hopes took a major hit with this loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Buccaneers entered the game with a 6-7 record and were in desperate need of a win to keep their postseason hopes alive.

However, despite a strong first half performance that saw them build a 17-0 lead, the Buccaneers collapsed in the second half and allowed the Bengals to score 34 unanswered points.

Tom Brady’s four turnovers in the second half played a major role in the Buccaneers’ collapse, and his lack of ball care is a concern moving forward. The Buccaneers will need to win their final three games of the season and hope for some help in order to secure a playoff spot and to possibly win the chaotic NFC South.

With tough matchups against the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, and a division matchup against the Falcons on the schedule, the Buccaneers will have their work cut out for them if they hope to extend their season into January and give Brady a shot at winning his eighth Super Bowl.

Looking ahead

Looking ahead, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16 and the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17. Both of these games are crucial for Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes, as they currently hold a one-game lead in the NFC South division with a 6-8 record.

A win against either the Cowboys or Falcons could secure a spot in the playoffs for the Buccaneers. However, with the inconsistency and mistakes that have plagued the team throughout the season, it will be important for them to focus on correcting those issues and playing a complete game if they hope to come out on top.

As for the Cincinnati Bengals, they will face the Houston Texans in Week 16 and the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17. The Bengals currently hold a 10-4 record and are in first place in the AFC North division with a one-game lead over the Ravens. Winning either of these remaining games could help secure the division title for Cincinnati, but they will need to continue their strong performance on both offence and defence if they hope to come out on top.