Bengals Edge Out Buccaneers 34-23 in Hard-Fought NFL Matchup

Tampa Bay Falls Short Despite Early Lead

Cincinnati Continues Struggles on the Road

TAMPA, Fla. (Dec. 18, 2023) - The Cincinnati Bengals upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 34-23 in a thrilling NFL matchup on ESPN's Monday Night Football. The Bengals, who finished fourth in the AFC North last season, started strong with a touchdown pass from Joe Burrow to Tee Higgins in the first quarter. The Buccaneers, fresh off their Super Bowl victory, responded with a touchdown of their own, but Cincinnati's defense held them back for much of the game. The Bengals took a 21-17 lead into halftime and extended it to 28-17 in the third quarter. The Buccaneers fought back, scoring another touchdown to make it a 28-23 game, but the Bengals sealed the victory with a 37-yard field goal from Evan McPherson in the fourth quarter. The loss marks Tampa Bay's first of the 2023 season, while the Bengals improve to 2-1.