The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could not ask for a much tougher challenge to begin their 2026 season. Their Week One matchup sends the secondary into Paycor Stadium against Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Tampa Bay’s Secondary Gets Immediate Test
Both Tampa Bay and Cincinnati are looking to put disappointing 2025 seasons behind them. The Buccaneers missed the postseason while falling short of their goals, while the Bengals enter the new campaign seeking their own redemption.
For Tampa Bay, the opening matchup immediately puts its defensive backs under the spotlight. Chase and Higgins give Burrow two explosive weapons capable of creating problems throughout a game.
Chase and Higgins Create Different Problems
Chase remains one of the league’s most dangerous offensive weapons because of his versatility. He finished 2025 with 125 catches for 1,412 yards despite changes within Cincinnati’s offense.
His impact extends beyond simply making contested catches downfield. Chase can turn short completions into explosive gains, while his route-running ability creates problems at every level.
Higgins gives Burrow another imposing target who can win with physicality. His combination of size, body control and long strides makes him particularly difficult to handle near the end zone.
That combination creates a difficult assignment for any opposing secondary. Tampa Bay knows the Bengals will have opportunities to challenge its defensive backs throughout Sunday’s matchup.
McCollum Is Looking Forward to the Challenge
Zyon McCollum and Jacob Parrish will be tasked with helping contain Cincinnati’s receiving duo. Parrish secured the other starting cornerback spot opposite McCollum, giving Tampa Bay a young pairing facing an immediate test.
McCollum believes those challenges can ultimately create opportunities for the Buccaneers. Speaking after Wednesday’s practice, he explained why Tampa Bay’s defensive mentality will focus on those opportunities.
“You are going to have guaranteed opportunities,” McCollum on facing the duo via the team’s website. “They want to get their season started off right and they are looking to get into a rhythm early so the ball is guaranteed to go into the air and a ball in the air belongs to us. That is the mentality that we have, and we are going into the game thinking and we know that we are going to get tested early and this is an incredible opportunity for us and there will be no better feeling than when you take away three, four interceptions.”
Tampa Bay Wants to Make Cincinnati Pay
McCollum’s comments show that the Buccaneers are not approaching the matchup with a defensive mindset built around avoiding mistakes. Instead, Tampa Bay expects Cincinnati to attack through the air and wants to capitalize when those opportunities arrive.
That could make the battle between the Buccaneers’ defensive backs and Cincinnati’s receivers one of Sunday’s defining matchups. McCollum knows Chase and Higgins will provide an early examination, but he also sees the matchup as a chance to make an immediate statement.
For Tampa Bay’s secondary, the objective will be simple: withstand the pressure and turn Burrow’s throws into opportunities of their own. McCollum clearly believes those opportunities will come.
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