The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cincinnati Bengals meet in Week 1 NFL action Sunday. Kickoff from Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, is set for 1 p.m. ET (FOX). Let's analyze NFL odds around the Buccaneers vs. Bengals odds and make our expert NFL picks and predictions for the best bets.
The Buccaneers come into this game fresh off agreeing to a new 3-year extension with star QB Baker Mayfield. Mayfield has been the starting quarterback for the past 3 seasons since taking over for Tom Brady and has gone 27-24 in that span. Tampa Bay will have a similar roster from a season ago, when it finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs. The Bucs lost long-time WR Mike Evans but did strengthen their defense with first-round pick DE Rueben Bain Jr.
The Bengals,
who have had one of the most talented teams in the AFC yet seem to get undone each season by injuries -- particularly to QB Joe Burrow -- went just 6-11 last season. They've missed the playoffs in 3 straight seasons and have cracked the postseason just once since making the Super Bowl in the 2021 season. Cincinnati will need DE Myles Murphy and DT Dexter Lawrence II to step up after losing superstar edge rusher Trey Hendrickson this offseason to divisional rival Baltimore. Lawrence II, whom the Bengals acquired for their 2026 first-round pick, was their major offseason acquisition.
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Buccaneers at Bengals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 1:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Buccaneers +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Bengals -210 (bet $210 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Buccaneers +3.5 (-108) | Bengals -3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 50.5 (O: -108 | U: -110)
Buccaneers at Bengals key injuries
Buccaneers
- WR Jalen McMillan (knee) doubtful
- LB Christian Rozeboom (foot) questionable
- T Justin Skule (oblique) doubtful
- RB Sean Tucker (hamstring) doubtful
Bengals
- DE Shemar Stewart (knee) doubtful
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Buccaneers at Bengals picks and predictions
Prediction
Bengals 27, Buccaneers 24
Moneyline
PASS.
No interest. The Bengals (-210) are too expensive to take here, and the Buccaneers (+170) are better played on the spread.
Against the spread
BET BUCCANEERS +3.5 (-108).
Simply put, the Bengals have been atrocious in recent season openers. They lost 24-3 to the Browns in 2023 and 16-10 to the Patriots in 2024, then barely edged an awful Browns side 17-16 in 2025. Cincinnati is 0-3 against the spread (ATS) in its last 3 season-opening games. While the Bengals added Lawrence II, their defense is still poised to be among the worst in the NFL, and Mayfield should be able to knife through it.
Tampa Bay, which has a top 10 offensive line, has the weapons in WR Chris Godwin and WR Emeka Egbuka to put real strain on that Bengals secondary, especially with how unproven it is. Cincinnati ranked 30th in points against (28.9 per game) a season ago and did little to beef up its secondary or linebacker units. Considering these weaknesses and the Bengals' recent struggles in openers, take BUCCANEERS +3.5 (-108) to cover.
Over/Under
BET OVER 50.5 (-108).
Neither side is going to be able to slow their opponents down. The Bucs allowed 24.2 points per game a season ago (20th in the NFL), and they struggled even more to limit opposing quarterbacks, ranking 27th in opponents' passing yards (238.2). Burrow should be able to have his way, especially after the Bengals were able to keep both WR Ja'Marr Chase and WR Tee Higgins. Tampa Bay tallied at least 20 points in all but 4 games last season, so it should do its part to help the total Sunday.
Best prop bet
BET OVER BAKER MAYFIELD 233.5 PASSING YARDS (-115).
The Bengals, especially since they're likely to be short Stewart, won't be able to get much pressure on Mayfield, and he should be able to dominate. Cincinnati allowed at least 233 yards in 11 of 17 games a season ago.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals odds, picks and predictions
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