By admin 
Star quarterback Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals began their 2026 season at home on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They had a phenomenal first half, leading Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers 24-10 after two quarters.
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Burrow played a big role in the team’s success in the first half, as he was 14-of-20 passing for 133 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed three times for 20 yards.
The 29-year-old quarterback is coming off a 2025 season where he played only eight games due to a severe turf toe injury, which kept him out for most of the year.
Toward the end of the second quarter on Sunday, Burrow led his Bengals on a 10-play, 70-yard drive that ended in a field goal to give Cincinnati a 14-point lead at halftime.
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During that drive, Burrow scrambled up the middle for 12 yards. As he went down to the ground, he was hit by Tampa Bay safety Tykee Smith, who was flagged for an unnecessary roughness penalty.
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Smith now is in danger of being punished by the NFL by way of a fine after Week 1 is over. The league fines players for various types of penalties, including late hits, which carry a $11,941 fine on the first offense and “Impermissible Use of the Helmet/Launching,” which costs players $23,882 the first time they are called for it, according to the league’s website.
Smith will find out if he is fined when the NFL releases all its fines next week. Burrow and the Bengals are looking for a good start to the season, while the Buccaneers are trying to win their sixth straight Week 1 contest.
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This story was originally published September 13, 2026 at 12:06 PM.