Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Vegas Play of the Day: Cincinnati Bengals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jameis Winston

AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston calls out a play during drills in an NFL rookie minicamp in Tampa, Fla., Friday, May 8, 2015.

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The Buccaneers offense was wobbly at the best in their preseason debut against the Vikings. Despite reports of better practices all week, Jameis Winston doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence in an immediate turnaround, especially against a just-as-stingy Cincinnati defense.

Tampa Bay can play defense too, and most of its starters are expected to stay in the majority of the first half. That’s bad news for Cincinnati backup A.J. McCarron, who will likely get the bulk of the action at quarterback.

McCarron hasn’t taken a snap in nearly two years since injuring his shoulder in Alabama’s Sugar Bowl loss to Oklahoma at the end of the 2013-2014 season. No one’s exactly sure of the Bengals’ strategy tonight, but with three games in the next 10 days, they might take it easy with their players guaranteed roster spots in an effort to get out of Tampa intact.

In front of its home crowd on Monday Night Football, the Buccaneers would appear to be more motivated to earn a victory. That’s going to be a tough goal to reach given their offensive shortcomings.

Current Standings: (as of July 1): Brewer (10-7, $10,940), Bern (6-6, $10,250), Keefer (6-13, $6,186)

Lifetime Records: 2014-15 champion Bern (89-80-1), Keefer (90-96-2), Brewer (80-95-2)

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.