Home NFL NFC Cincinnati Spoils Fitzmagic as the Bengals defeat the Buccaneers 37-34

Cincinnati Spoils Fitzmagic as the Bengals defeat the Buccaneers 37-34

October 28, 2018

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Ryan Fitzpatrick waving — TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers waves to the crowd after they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 27-21 at Raymond James Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston strugged throughout the majority of the first three quarters. The Bucs inserted Ryan Fitzpatrick into the game and nearly completed an 18-point comeback effort. Unfortunately, Randy Bullock gives the Bengals another victory at Paul Brown Stadium Sunday afternoon.

First Quarter

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense began the game with a fourth down stop to capture early momentum. On the ensuing drive, Jameis Winston gave momentum back to the Bengals by throwing an interception. Joe Mixon plowed into the end zone from one yard away to give Cincinnati a 7-0 lead later on in the quarter. Winston finished the quarter with two interceptions.

Second Quarter

Cincinnati’s offense came alive in the second quarter. The Bengals scored three touchdowns in the quarter compared to only one touchdown for the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay’s touchdown came on a 60-yard connection from Winston to DeSean Jackson but the extra point from Chandler Catanzaro was missed. Catanzaro did connect on a field goal at the end of the first half to make the score 9-27.

Third Quarter

After starting the quarter with a touchdown drive, Winston later added two more interceptions to bring his total to four. The fourth interception went back the other way for a Cincinnati touchdown, which resulted in Winston being benched for Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick entered the game late in the quarter with the Buccaneers trailing 16-34. The Buccaneers defense stepped up in the third period by not allowing a first down all quarter.

Fourth Quarter

Ryan Fitzpatrick’s first drive led to a Tampa Bay field goal. The entire team played with more energy after Ftizmagic entered. He led the Buccaneers back to tie the game 34-34 with touchdown drives capped off by O.J. Howard and Mike Evans. With just over 1:00 remaining in the game, Andy Dalton began the game-winning drive for Cincinnati. Randy Bullock nailed a field goal from 44 yards away to send the Bengals to 5-3.

Andy Dalton totaled 280 yards on 21/34 for two touchdowns and Joe Mixon led the Bengals in rushing with 123 yards on 21 carries.

Ryan Fitzpatrick had 194 on 11/15 with two touchdowns in just over a quarter. Mike Evans led the Buccaneers with 179 receiving yards and a touchdown.

The Bengals are on bye next week.

The Buccaneers travel to Carolina next week to take on the Panthers in a division showdown.