The Cincinnati Bengals are currently up 7-3, which sounds pretty straightforward until you hear this: their offense has only managed a measly **four yards** total. Seriously, *four* yards! How does that even happen? It’s absolutely wild.
The Defense Nobody Saw Coming
Remember how everyone was dogging the Bengals last season for having the absolute *worst* defense in the whole dang NFL? Yeah, well, it looks like that “overhauled unit” is already making moves. And by “moves,” I mean they just straight-up scored! Baker Mayfield was under pressure, and he got absolutely rocked for an 8-yard loss on a killer split sack by Barrett Carter and Myles Murphy. Murphy wasn’t done there, though. He jarred the ball loose, forced that fumble like a boss! And then, BOOM, Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. scooped it up and sprinted **27 yards** to the end zone. Just like that, a defensive score gives Cincinnati a 7-3 lead. Talk about a statement from a defense trying to prove everyone wrong! You love to see that kind of hunger from a unit.
Mayfield’s Rough Start and the Bucs’ Struggles
Look, Mayfield has definitely had a rough go of it so far today. He’s been sacked not once, but twice, and his passing stats are nothing to brag about: just 4-of-7 for 33 yards. The Buccaneers did manage to get on the board first, though. Mayfield actually managed to lead an 11-play, 56-yard drive to start the game. It ended with Chase McLaughlin nailing a 34-yard field goal, putting them up 3-0. But since then? Crickets from the Bucs offense, especially with that massive fumble turning into seven points for Cincinnati.
What’s Next for This Defensive Dynamo?
It’s still early in the game on September 13, 2026, but man, this is already shaping up to be a classic. The big question here is whether the Bengals’ offense can actually wake up and contribute, or if this ‘overhauled’ defense can keep making these kinds of insane, game-changing plays to hold onto this lead. If they can, this is a whole new Bengals team emerging right before our eyes, and nobody expected this kind of defensive dominance this early. Get ready!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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