The Cincinnati Bengals' 33-27 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wasn't so convincing as to not inspire a healthy dose of tempered excitement. Nevertheless, starting off 1-0 with four takeaways on defense, while fielding a competent-looking offense, is reason enough to celebrate.
That latter standard sounds like a low bar to clear. Not for the Bengals. Joe Burrow has oftne been banged up or rehabbing entering most seasons, and the offense tends to sputter. Although Burrow had a pick-six on Sunday, it wasn't enough to derail a valiant winning effort at Paycor Stadium.
Week 1 tends to inspire tons of overreactions. Let's try to rein it in and get real about what we saw from the Bengals versus Tampa — and what's likely to carry over into the future.
Sensible reactions after Bengals' stellar Week 1 win (that leaves room for improvement)
1. The Bengals' defense appears to be a top-15 unit at worst, which would be their highest ranking in total yards allowed during the Joe Burrow era. How 'bout that defense!? You can't expect to force fource turnovers every week, but still! Competence! Bryan Cook had a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Boye Mafe forced a sack-fumble. Jonathan Allen had a sack. Dexter Lawrence's presence immediately shored up the run defense and had Baker Mayifeld running for his life all afternoon. Those were just the new additions! Then, Cincinnati's second-year linebackers really stepped up. Barrett Carter forced the fumble out of the end zone and contributed to Demetrius Knight Jr.'s scoop and score. What a performance. Four takeaways. Take a bow, y'all.
2. Joe Burrow's wheels are officially back! How about five carries for 20 yards, y'all? And that includes taking a knee at the end of the game. Burrow had what looked to be a designed quarterback draw and some nice scrambles. Love to see him mobile and ready to roll in Week 1. That's been an exceedingly rare sight.
3. We need more of Dohnte Meyers in the offense (please?). If the WR3 job is indeed up for grabs on merit, well, Mike Gesicki's team-high five catches for 78 yards and a TD may have put an end to the debate. I know he's a tight end, but he's really not. Anyway, Dohnte Meyers had one carry for 10 yards and one target for 18 yards in addition to pulling return man duties. Against the Texans in Week 2, I'd strongly consider deactivating Colbie Young, sticking Ke'Shawn Williams and Samaje Perine on kickoff return, Williams on punt return, and making Meyers a more integral part of the offense.
4. Week 1 will be Ja'Marr Chase's worst game of the season. The fact that the Bengals still won as convincingly as they did should terrify the rest of the NFL. Chase only had two catches for 12 yards. If I knew that going in without knowing hte outcome, I'd have assumed Cincinnati lost and the offense was, well, lost at sea. Not the case at all!
5. The new under-center adjustment wasn't as bumpy as expected. And it shouldn't get worse despite the road trip to Houston this coming week. Not gonna lie, I expected it to look way worse. However, the Bengals' veteran-laden group leaned on experience and continuity to execute the tweaked scheme. Not a raging success, but Todd Bowles and the Bucs always through some pretty complex, unscouted looks at opponents. Cincinnati handled it all very well.
6. Drew Sample should never have three targets ever again. He caught all three of 'em for 19 yards, but he's a middling blocker at this point in his career who, as the numbers show, brings zero pass-catching upside to the table. How on Earth is Jack Endries not active over him? Dead weight on the roster.
7. This looks like a Super Bowl team. Week 1 is a notorious liar, but the Bucs are clear favorites in the NFC South. They should be a formidable playoff contender. For once, Zac Taylor's offense didn't look stuck in the mud in Week 1. The defense jelled well enough right away to force all those turnovers. It looked like the Bengals were ready to roll right out of the gates for once. And they still have plenty of room to improve. I'd say the Super Bowl Burrow is trying to manifest is well within reach.
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