Cincinnati Bengals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8/14/21 NFL Picks and Predictions

The Cincinnati Bengals face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, August 14th for a Week 1 Preseason matchup at Raymond James Stadium. 

The Cincinnati Bengals finished the 2020-21 NFL season with a record of 4-11-1. Joe Burrow's rookie season was cut short by injury and the Bengals were never able to recover. Now, with Burrow set to make his return to the team, the Bengals will look to take the next step in their rebuilding process. The current backup quarterbacks on the roster for Cincinnati include Brandon Allen, Kyle Shurmur, and Syracuse product Eric Dungey. The Bengals are rather thin at skilled positions on offense and their offensive line has some holes as well. Defensively, the Bengals are below average as well but do have a bit more depth on the defensive line. Cincinnati's advantage on defense is their secondary, as PFF (Pro Football Focus) currently ranks the Bengals' secondary at #15 in the league. It is going to be more than likely another tough year for the Bengals. Having to play the defending Super Bowl Champs in Week 1 of the preseason is not easy either, and it will be the team's first challenge. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are ready to start their victory tour, and that starts in this Week 1 preseason game. Tampa Bay, of course, was Super Bowl Champs after an 11-5 regular season campaign and incredible postseason run under future Hall of Fame QB and legend, Tom Brady. The Bucs are stacked yet again heading into the 2021 season. Tampa Bay has a top-10 offense and defense on paper and will be the clear favorites to win the NFC South this season. Tampa Bay features backup quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert, Ryan Griffin, and Florida Gator Kyle Trask. I think the Bucs hold the advantage in this matchup at every position, including depth when compared to Cincinnati.