Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) intercepts a pass as Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker JJ Russell (51) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason game, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
By MITCH STACY, AP Sports Writer
CINCINNATI (AP) — The Bengals saw everything they needed to see from Joe Burrow in their first series against Tampa Bay on Saturday night.
In his first game in nearly nine months, the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback led a 73-yard drive, threw a touchdown pass to Tee Higgins and then left the field.
The Buccaneers scored late and won the game 17-14, but Burrow passed his test.
He completed 5 of 7 passes for 51 yards, rushed for five first downs and completed passes to four different receivers.
“I thought he had everything under control and saw the defense very well,” said Bengals coach Zac Taylor. “I thought he handled it very well and the guys played for him.”
The first and last passes of the drive went to Higgins, one of the few other Bengals offensive starters to play. Burrow found Higgins for a 9-yard gain to open the drive. Then, on second and decisive attempt from the Tampa Bay 10-yard line, Burrow found Higgins at the 5-yard line, with receiver evading cornerback Josh Hayes and entering the play unchallenged.
Looking back to his old self after undergoing surgery last year to repair a torn ligament in his throwing hand, Burrow avoided any hits and threw the ball into the ground on one play to avoid blitzing safety Kaevon Merriweather.
“There’s still some work to be done, but it was nice to be back out there,” Burrow said. “Scored the touchdown, had a little help. It was a nice start.”
Burrow was injured on November 16th of last year in Baltimore, coincidentally on a touchdown throw to Higgins.
Backup Jake Browning didn’t fare so well on Saturday. He played the rest of the first half and the third quarter, completing 10 of 18 passes for 52 yards. Cincinnati struggled until Logan Woodside, the night’s third quarterback, threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to rookie Jermaine Burton, selected in the third round of the draft, late in the game.
Higgins also left the game after the first series. He is playing with a franchise tag, so he has something to prove in 2024.
Bucs rest regular players
Quarterback Baker Mayfield and most of Tampa Bay’s top players were absent. Backup Kyle Trask played the first half, completing 12 of 20 passes for 144 yards and being intercepted by rookie cornerback Josh Newton.
Fourth-round pick Bucky Irving carried the ball six times for 27 yards and scored a 5-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Center Graham Barton, Tampa Bay’s first-round pick, was heavily involved and helped break through the middle of the Bengals’ defensive line for Irving’s touchdown.
“We’re coming off our first game,” Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles said. “A lot of guys played for the first time. Most of them were sloppy. There are a few things we need to improve, but we’ve made progress.”
Unlike last August, when Mayfield had a one-year deal to prove himself and was competing with Trask to succeed Tom Brady as Tampa Bay’s quarterback, there are no unanswered questions about the direction of the offense heading into training camp this summer.
The Bucs are confident that Mayfield will continue to be successful after he led the team to its third consecutive NFC South title and was rewarded with a new three-year contract worth $100 million.
Injuries
Bucs TE Devin Culp was evaluated for a possible concussion.
Bengals WR and kick returner Charlie Jones was out of uniform after suffering a knee injury during practice on Thursday.
Next
Buccaneers: Next Saturday at the Jaguars.
Bengals: Next Saturday at the Bears.
___
AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
