After almost making it to the Super Bowl last season, the Cincinnati Bengals are aiming to make it big during the upcoming campaign. As head coach Zac Taylor has seen recently in a preseason match against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, rookie wide receiver Jermaine Burton might be instrumental to the team’s quest this year.
The Buccaneers kicked off their 2024 preseason with a thrilling 17-14 victory over the Bengals at Paycor Stadium. The game was marked by a strong performance from the Bucs’ rushing attack, which has been a point of emphasis for the team this offseason.
Rookie running back Ramon Jefferson scored the game-winning touchdown with less than a minute remaining, capping off a 69-yard drive led by quarterback John Wolford. The Bucs’ rushing attack, which was a weakness the past two seasons, showed promising signs, with second-year back Sean Tucker leading the way with 68 yards on 10 carries.
Quarterback Kyle Trask, starting in place of Baker Mayfield, played the entire first half and led the Buccaneers’ first touchdown drive on their second possession. Tight end Payne Durham and wide receiver Jalen McMillan, both camp standouts, made key catches in the first half.
Despite a late touchdown from the Bengals that gave them a 14-10 lead, the Buccaneers responded with a clutch drive to retake the lead and hold on for the win. Head Coach Todd Bowles was pleased with the team’s resilience and the progress made, while acknowledging there are still areas to improve.
Cincinnati Bengals Coach Zac Taylor Drops Monster Parise for Wide Receiver Jermain Burton
Even though the Bengals lost, there are still some notable elements of the team’s performance worth looking out for. In a video posted by the team’s official account on X, Taylor noted Burton’s performance and dropped him a monster praise for it.
“We created a monster, didn’t we?” – Zac on @NASAMAINE3 👽 pic.twitter.com/qFURUBjCaS
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 13, 2024
Burton stood out for the Bengals, scoring a 37-yard touchdown and making a key 38-yard catch late in the game. Despite the loss, his impressive performance showcased his potential as a playmaker for Cincinnati’s offense.
With a bright showing against Tampa Bay, Burton may gain an opportunity to prove himself on the field. If he does get that chance, Bengals fans can expect his development to continue throughout the upcoming season.
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