The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will open their 2026 season Sunday on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals.
It’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting matchups of Week 1, as two high-profile quarterbacks and potent offenses go head-to-head while a pair of completely revamped defenses try to slow them down.
It’s a coin-flip matchup that could easily go either way, but if the Buccaneers can win a few key matchups, their chances of winning will increase significantly.
3 matchups the Tampa Bay Buccaneers must win to beat the Cincinnati Bengals
Zyon McCollum and Jacob Parrish vs. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins
The best aspect of the Bengals’ roster is their elite wide receiver duo of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
That will be a tough matchup for Zyon McCollum and Jacob Parrish, the latter of whom is kicking outside after playing nickel last season. Tampa Bay’s passing defense ranked No. 27 in the NFL in 2025, and if their coverage continues to struggle in the season opener, it could be a long day for the Bucs.
Parrish has made it clear he’s ready for the challenge, and McCollum will have to live up to his $16 million contract and play like the lockdown cornerback the Buccaneers believe he can be.
Keeping Chase and Higgins in check is much easier said than done, but the Bucs’ cornerbacks will need to hold their own if Tampa Bay is going to slow down Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ explosive passing attack.
Bucs pass rush vs. Bengals offensive line
The best way for Tampa Bay to help out their cornerbacks in the matchup mentioned above is for the pass rush to have a dominant performance.
The Buccaneers will have Rueben Bain Jr., Yaya Diaby, Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, and A’Shawn Robinson on the defensive front in their base formation. That’s a formidable group, and Tampa Bay should be able to generate pressure, particularly off the edge.
Bengals left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. is credited with giving up nine sacks last season, while right tackle Amarius Mims surrendered four, according to Pro Football Focus. With Bain and Diaby lining up against them, along with Al-Quadin Muhammad and David Walker in the rotation, the Bucs should have opportunities to make Burrow uncomfortable throughout the game.
A disruptive pass rush could completely change the outlook for Tampa Bay. If they can consistently get into the backfield and make Burrow uncomfortable, it would take a lot of pressure off the secondary and put the team in a much better position to win.
Bucs interior offensive line vs. Bengals interior defensive line
The Bengals added both nose tackle Dexter Lawrence and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen this offseason.
That will pose a serious challenge for Graham Barton, Ben Bredeson, and Cody Mauch. If they allow the Bengals’ interior defensive line to collapse the pocket, Baker Mayfield will spend the afternoon running for his life.
The matchup will also have a major impact on Tampa Bay’s rushing attack. If the boys up front can’t open up running lanes, it'll be difficult to establish the run against the Bengals’ revamped defensive front, which will put even more pressure on Mayfield and the passing game.
The Bucs need their interior offensive line to hold strong. If they can win the battle against Lawrence and Allen, they’ll have a much better chance of keeping Mayfield clean, moving the ball consistently, and ultimately leaving Cincinnati with a victory.
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