Bengals vs Buccaneers Prediction 9/13/26 NFL Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Bengals vs Buccaneers prediction for this NFL game on Sunday, September 13th at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week 1 matchup.

Cincinnati Bengals Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Bengals were 6-11 last year and they finished third in the AFC North standings, four games behind the Steelers in first. The Bengals started the season with a 2-0 record after tight wins against Cleveland and Jacksonville, but they went just 4-11 in their last 15 games for another disappointing finish. Cincinnati did compete down the stretch, as they went 3-3 in their last six games and they scored 32+ points in four of those six. The Bengals scored 24.4 points per game in 2025, while they allowed 28.9 points against per game on defense. 

In the preseason, Cincinnati was 3-0, which was tied for first in the AFC North. The Bengals defeated the Lions by a score of 16-14, defeated the Bears by a score of 27-9, and defeated the Eagles by a score of 30-13 in their three games. The Bengals will have Joe Burrow at quarterback with Chase Brown at running back and Ja’Marr Chase/Tee Higgins at receiver. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went 8-9 last season and they finished tied for first in the NFC South standings, but lost the tiebreaker with the Panthers. The Buccaneers started the season with a 5-1 record through six games, but they lost eight of the next ten games. TB only defeated the Saints, Cardinals, and Panthers after October 12th last year. The Bucs had a strong offense to start the season, but they scored 20 points or fewer in six of their last seven games. Tampa Bay scored 22.4 points per game in 2025, while they allowed 24.2 points against per game on defense. 

In the preseason, Tampa Bay went 2-1, which was tied for second in the NFC South. The Buccaneers defeated the Jets by a score of 24-16, defeated the Chiefs by a score of 16-15, and lost to the Jaguars by a score of 19-0 in their three games. Tampa Bay will have Baker Mayfield at quarterback with Bucky Irving at running back and Emeka Egbuka at receiver. 

Why the Cincinnati Bengals will win

• The Bengals have won each of their last eight home games without Drew Sample.
• The Buccaneers have lost each of their last seven games against AFC North opponents.
• The Buccaneers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last nine games.
• The Bengals have covered the spread in each of their last five games against NFC South opponents.
• The home team has won the first half in seven of the Buccaneers’ last eight games.
• The Bengals have won the first quarter in each of their last four home games against the Buccaneers.
• The Bengals have scored the first touchdown in eight of their last nine games as favorites.

Why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will win

• The Buccaneers have won each of their last six road games in September.
• The Bengals have lost four of their last five home openers as favorites.
• The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the Buccaneers’ last six games.
• The Bengals have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four season openers.
• The Buccaneers have won the first quarter in four of their last five road openers as underdogs.
• The Buccaneers have scored the first touchdown in each of their last four games.
• The Bengals have lost the first half in seven of their last eight home openers as favorites.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Bengals’ last nine games against NFC South opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of the Buccaneers’ last six games without Antoine Winfield Jr. have gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of the last four Sunday games at Paycor Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.

Cincinnati Bengals Player Prop Facts

• Chase Brown has scored two or more touchdowns in each of the Bengals’ last three games as moderate favorites (-3.5 to -7.0 points).
• Chase Brown has recorded 67+ rushing yards in seven of the Bengals’ last eight games as home favorites.
• Samaje Perine has recorded 38+ rushing and receiving yards in five of the Bengals’ last six games.
• Chase Brown has scored at least one touchdown in each of the Bengals’ last five games as favorites against NFC opponents.
• Andrei Iosivas has recorded 17+ receiving yards in eight of the Bengals’ last nine games with a total points line of at least 50.0.
• Joe Flacco has recorded 224+ passing yards in each of his last eight Week 1 home appearances.
• Joe Flacco has recorded 21+ completions in each of his last nine September appearances with his team as a home favorite.
• Joe Flacco recorded the most passing yards in a single game last season (470 vs Bears, Week 9).

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Player Prop Facts

• Bucky Irving has scored a touchdown in each of his last three appearances in games with a total points line of at least 50.0.
• Baker Mayfield has recorded 20+ rushing yards in each of the Buccaneers’ last five games as underdogs against AFC opponents.
• Baker Mayfield has recorded 233+ passing yards in three of the Buccaneers’ last four games against AFC opponents.
• Chris Godwin has recorded 45+ receiving yards in 13 of his last 14 appearances against AFC opponents.
• Baker Mayfield has recorded 22+ completions in five of the Buccaneers’ last six games as underdogs against AFC opponents.
• Chris Godwin has recorded 45+ rushing and receiving yards in 13 of his last 14 appearances against AFC opponents.
• Chase McLaughlin ranked T1st in the NFL in 50+ yard field goals made (11) last season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Bengals – two different players recorded 80+ rushing yards in a game last season – equal-most in the NFL.
• Bengals – two different players recorded 90+ rushing yards in a game last season – equal-most in the NFL.
• Buccaneers – 16 different players recorded at least one touchdown last season – equal-most in the NFL.
• Buccaneers – two different players recorded 80+ rushing yards in a game last season – equal-most in the NFL.

Bengals vs Buccaneers Prediction 

Both of these teams finished the 2025 season below .500, so they will be looking to start the season strong here. Cincinnati will look to keep Joe Burrow healthy, who is one of the best QBs in the game. The Bengals should have a high-powered offense, but the defense is a worry. Tampa Bay didn’t get great work from Baker last season, but he has plenty of great playmakers to work with on offense. I think this game is going to be very back and forth and I like the over, as both quarterbacks should shine.