Joe Burrow started the 2018 Bengals season off right by starting with all five offensive linemen from last season’s starting five, and it proved very beneficial. Burrow was only ever sacked once throughout the game despite Tampa Bay defense likely to challenge Cincinnati early, thanks in large part to tackle Amarius Mims containing Rueben Bain Jr’s pass rushers. His pocket generally remained clean as this allowed for one mistake that stood out even more: an interception dropped during play-action play that failed him miserably and was intercepted when trying for another pass play that ended up happening due to miscommunication between him and Mims being responsible.
Burrow’s error occurred with his Bengals leading 27-13 and in the third quarter. Burrow was trying to fit a throw into an extremely tight window when rookie Buccaneers linebacker Josiah Trotter intercepted it and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown return. Burrow later openedly discussed this play explaining he originally ran an out route route towards the field but the defender covering that route got underneath it before moving back onto his backup read read, whereupon Trotter had already beat him there before even trying another try would fail him this time!
“If I didn’t have that interception, I’m feeling great walking out of here. You can’t make plays like that, so I got to get that fixed,” Burrow said after the game. “Offensive line was pretty lights out. I thought we ran the ball well in spots, and I got the ball to my guys in space pretty quickly.”
Trotter’s touchdown narrowed what had been a comfortable Bengals lead to 27-20. Tampa Bay responded by continuing to press, with Baker Mayfield scrambling for a 9-yard touchdown run with just over three minutes remaining to bring the score to 33-27. Suddenly, the outcome was uncertain again. Cincinnati needed to respond, and Burrow delivered. He connected with Dohnte Meyers for an 18-yard gain, handed off to Samaje Perine to secure a crucial first down, and Tee Higgins made a diving catch to close out the game. On the final drive, Burrow was perfect, completing all 3 of his passes for 49 yards to seal the victory.
Overall, Burrow finished with 25 completions on 35 attempts for 254 yards and one touchdown. By his own account, it was a solid day for the offense, anchored by strong line play. The only blemish he pointed to after the game was the turnover that allowed Tampa Bay back into contention.
“Terrible throw from me,” Burrow acknowledged, as his out route toward the field was intercepted by a flat defender and undercut. I attempted a replacement throw, and although my target made a good play despite me making that turnover.
Josiah Trotter entered his inaugural NFL season without much fanfare as a second-round selection from Missouri, mostly as Lavonte David’s replacement after 14 seasons of service with Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacking unit Lavonte David retired after 14 campaigns. By the time Tampa Bay played Cincinnati on September 4, however, Trotter had made history: He became the first rookie since 1982 that recorded both sacks and an interception touchdown during an opening game – although Joe Burrow was left disappointed even with such success for Cincinnati Bengals victory despite an otherwise comfortable Bengals win for Tampa Bay Buccaneers win of 23 17-7!