It’s the Tampa Bay Buccaneers versus the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on September 13, 2026. Here’s how to watch live on TV.
- Time: 1:00 PM ET
- Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
- TV Channels: FOX
How to Watch Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cincinnati Bengals on September 13, 2026
You can watch the Cincinnati Bengals take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers live on DIRECTV on FOX on September 13, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals — Game Preview
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers open their season on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on September 13, 2026, with neither club carrying a 2026 record into the opener. Cincinnati’s offense averaged more total yards a season ago at 343.2 per game against Tampa Bay’s 335.4, though the Buccaneers ran the ball more effectively, gaining 114.5 yards per game on the ground compared to the Bengals’ 93.6.
Baker Mayfield, who threw for 3,693 yards and 26 touchdowns against 11 interceptions last season, leads the Tampa Bay offense into Cincinnati, while Joe Burrow takes over under center for the Bengals after passing for 2,479 yards and 15 touchdowns a year ago. The two quarterbacks bring different profiles to this one, with Mayfield completing 63.2% of his throws to Burrow’s 60.3%, a gap that could matter against a Buccaneers defense anchored by Al-Quadin Muhammad’s 11 sacks.
Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase remains the headline name in Cincinnati after catching 125 passes for 1,412 yards and 8 touchdowns last season, and he’s listed as questionable with a knee issue heading into the opener. Tampa Bay’s Emeka Egbuka, who put up 938 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns of his own last season, carries a questionable toe designation as well.
National TV
FOX
What Time is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cincinnati Bengals Game Today?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cincinnati Bengals game starts at 1:00 PM ET.
Where Can I Watch Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cincinnati Bengals?
You can watch Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cincinnati Bengals on FOX. Out-of-market games are also available with NFL Sunday Ticket, exclusively on DIRECTV.
Players to Watch: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield — QB. Mayfield enters this opener carrying a proven arm into Cincinnati, having thrown for 3,693 yards and 26 touchdowns against 11 interceptions last season. He completed 63.2% of his passes and posted a 90.6 rating over that stretch, numbers that put him among the more efficient starters in the league. The Bengals defense will be the first real test of whether that form carries into the new year.
Emeka Egbuka — WR. Egbuka’s second NFL season produced 938 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns on 63 catches, an average of 14.9 yards every time he touched the ball. He’s dealing with a toe sprain heading into the opener, a designation worth tracking given how much of Tampa Bay’s passing attack runs through him. If he’s on the field, he gives Mayfield a downfield target capable of stretching the Cincinnati secondary.
Al-Quadin Muhammad — LB. Muhammad was one of the more productive pass rushers on Tampa Bay’s roster last season, racking up 11 sacks and 9 tackles for loss. His 25 total tackles show he’s more than a situational rusher, and he’ll look to set an early tone against a Bengals offensive line breaking in a new starting quarterback. A fast start from him could put extra pressure on Flacco all afternoon.
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow — QB. Flacco steps in at quarterback for Cincinnati after throwing for 2,479 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, with 10 interceptions and a 79.2 rating over that span. His 60.3% completion rate trails Mayfield’s, a gap that could show up early against a Tampa Bay defense that generated steady pressure a year ago. Getting the ball to Ja’Marr Chase quickly and often will be central to how the Bengals attack this matchup.
Ja’Marr Chase — WR. Chase remains the most dangerous name on Cincinnati’s roster, having hauled in 125 catches for 1,412 yards and 8 touchdowns last season. That workload, an 11.3 yards-per-reception average, reflects a receiver who wins on volume as much as explosiveness. He’s questionable to start the opener with a knee issue, which would be a significant blow to the Bengals passing game if it keeps him off the field.
Myles Murphy — DE. Murphy posted 5.5 sacks and 6 tackles for loss last season while finishing with 52 total tackles. He’s listed as questionable heading into Week 1, though an undisclosed designation makes his availability hard to gauge. Tampa Bay’s offensive line will need to account for him regardless of whether he suits up.
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