Live updates: Bengals 27, Bucs 17 (fourth quarter)

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The Bucs allowed 34 straight points, squandering a 17-point lead, in a 34-23 loss to the Bengals Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.

Tom Brady committed four turnovers and Tampa Bay botched a fake punt as Cincinnati repeatedly took advantage of outstanding field position to outscore the Bucs 31-6 in the second half.

Brady fumbled twice and threw two interceptions, and a direct snap that up back Giovani Bernard didn’t appear to be expecting on a fake punt resulted in a turnover on downs.

The Bengals took advantage with a 21-yard Evan McPherson field goal and Joe Burrow touchdown passes of 5 yards to Tee Higgins, 3 yards to Tyler Boyd and 8 yards to Ja’Marr Chase, turning a 17-3 halftime deficit into a 27-17 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Earlier, Brady threw touchdown passes of 1 yard to Russell Gage and 5 yards to Chris Godwin, and Ryan Succop kicked a 21-yard field goal as the Bucs jumped out to a 17-0, second-quarter lead.

Still, thanks to losses by Atlanta and Carolina earlier in the day, the Bucs (6-8) maintained a one-game lead over the Panthers (5-9), Falcons (5-9) and Saints (5-9) in the NFC South.

With their sixth straight win, the Bengals (10-4) moved out to a one-game lead over the Ravens (9-5) in the AFC North.

Brady completed 30 of 44 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns to go along with his four turnovers.

Godwin had eight receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown. Mike Evans caught five passes for 83 yards. Gage added eight catches for 59 yards and two scores.

Burrow finished 27-of-39 for 200 yards and four touchdowns. He was intercepted once, by Carlton Davis.

Linebacker Lavonte David had eight tackles, including five solo stops, and a sack to lead a Bucs defense that held the Bengals to 83 first-half yards, Cincinnati’s fewest with Burrow under center. Davis had four passes defensed, and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Anthony Nelson combined for another sack.

Here’s how it happened:

Unscathed Bucs quarterback Tom Brady (12) scrambles during the second half. [ CHRIS O’MEARA | AP ]

The Bucs started the fourth quarter the way they ended the third … with a turnover, their fourth of the second half.

Tom Brady’s pass for Mike Evans was intercepted by linebacker Germaine Pratt, giving the Bengals the ball at the Cincinnati 47-yard line. It was Brady’s fourth turnover of the half (two fumbles, two interceptions).

Fortunately for the Bucs, the Bengals were unable to take advantage this time.

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Joe Burrow’s pass for Ja’Marr Chase deep down the right sideline on third and 5 from the Tampa Bay 48 was incomplete, forcing Cincinnati to punt.

Seriously? Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle DJ Reader (98) recovers a fumble during the second half. [ CHRIS O’MEARA | AP ]

A fourth(!) straight Bucs gaffe gave the Bengals possession in Tampa Bay territory for a fourth time in the third quarter.

A bad exchange between quarterback Tom Brady and running back Leonard Fournette resulted in a fumble at the Bucs 33 that DJ Reader recovered for the Bengals at the 39.

Cincinnati converted on third and 8 and third and 9, as Joe Burrrow completed passes of 8 yards to Ja’Marr Chase and 18 to Mitch Wilcox, moving the ball to the 10.

Two plays later, Burrow found Chase over the middle for an 8-yard touchdown pass.

Evan McPherson’s extra-point kick gave the Bengals their 27th straight point after they had fallen into a 17-point hole.

Charitable hosts Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) makes the catch for a two-point coversion against Bucs cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (23) during the second half. [ CHRIS O’MEARA | AP ]

The Bucs gifted the Bengals a short field for a third time in the third quarter when Tom Brady was sacked and stripped of the ball by DJ Reader and Logan Wilson recovered, giving Cincinnati possession at the Tampa Bay 19.

Four plays later, Joe Burrow completed a 3-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Boyd, who beat Dee Delaney. The Bengals went for 2, and Burrow hit Tee Higgins on a quick slant to give Cincinnati its first lead of the game, 20-17.

Shortening the field Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Tre Flowers (33) runs after his third-quarter interception. [ CHRIS O’MEARA | AP ]

The Bucs gave the Bengals great field position for the second time in the third quarter when Tre Flowers intercepted a Tom Brady pass for tight end Cameron Brate at the Tampa Bay 31-yard line just over five minutes into the quarter.

But after three plays netted just 7 yards, the Bengals went for a first down on fourth and 3 for the 24.

Devin White and Anthony Nelson chased Joe Burrow deep into the Bengals backfield and sacked him for a 23-yard loss. But linebacker Lavonte David was called for defensive holding, wiping out the play and giving Cincinnati a first down at the Tampa Bay 19.

The Bucs stopped the Bengals short of the first-down marker on third and 8, but cornerback Carlton Davis was penalized for a facemask on receiver Ja’Marr Chase, gifting Cincinnati another first down.

The Bengals didn’t squander this opportunity, as Burrow found Tre Huggins in the back of the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown, Ciincinnati’s first of the game.

Dee Delaney knocked away Burrow’s two-point conversion pass for Tyler Boyd, leaving the Bucs with a 17-12 lead with 5:42 to play in the quarter.

Could have been worse Bucs quarterback Tom Brady (12) gets up after a first-half run. [ LUIS SANTANA | Times ]

The Bucs took a big chance early in the second half, and it backfired in a big way.

A direct snap to Giovani Bernard out of punt formation seemed to catch up back Giovani Bernard by surprise, as the ball hit him in the helmet and he had to smother it at the Tampa Bay 16-yard line.

The Bengals needed just three plans to advance to the 3, but that was as far as they got.

Joe Burrow’s pass for Ja’Marr Chase on third and goal was broken up by Carlton Davis, and Cincinnati had to settle for Evan McPherson’s 21-yard field goal and a 17-6 deficit.

Unstoppable The Bucs offense huddles during the first quarter. [ MARK LOMOGLIO | AP ]

After their defense forced a third consecutive three-and-out, the Bucs moved swiftly down the field on a late second-quarter drive to take a three-score lead.

Leonard Fournette got things started with three runs for 16 yards. That softened up the Bengals defense for Tom Brady, whose 15-yard pass to Chris Godwin over the middle gave Tampa Bay a first down at the Cincinnati 46.

Pass receptions of 5 and 12 yards and a 3-yard run by Fournette then moved the ball to the 34.

After the two-minute warning, Brady threw threw three times to Godwin to cover the remaining distance, including a 5-yard screen pass that extended the Bucs’ lead to 17-0 with 1:39 to play in the half.

Going to ground Bucs running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs during the first quarter. [ CHRIS O’MEARA | AP ]

The Bucs kept the ball on the ground for much of an early second-quarter possession that resulted in a scoring chance.

Wide receiver Deven Thompkins ran for 9 yards around right end and running back Rachaad White carried twice for 9 more around a 5-yard false start penalty against Mike Evans.

Evans made up for his mistake with a 12-yard reception, giving Tampa Bay first down at the Cincinnati 39.

After a 2-yard White run, a tight end screen to Cameron Brate set up third and 3 from the 32. Brady went back to Brate down the right sideline, but cornerback Tre Flowers batted down the pass.

Alas, the drive produced no points as Ryan Succop’s 50-yard field goal attempt missed wide left.

Adding on Bucs wide receiver Russell Gage (17) makes a touchdown catch early in the second quarter. [ CHRIS O’MEARA | AP ]

The Bucs converted two fourth downs during a touchdown drive that stretched from late in the first quarter to early in the second and gave them a two-score lead.

A 33-yard catch-and-run by Mike Evans came back 24 yards due to a penalty for a blindside block against fellow receiver Chris Godwin but set the tone for the drive. The penalty yards were marked off 15 yards from the spot of the foul, resulting in a 9-yard gain to the 50.

Leonard Fournette picked up the 1 yard needed for a first down. After three plays gained just 9 yards, Tampa Bay went for it on fourth and 1. Tom Brady connected with Evans for 7 yards on a slant pattern to pick up the first down at the Bengals 33, the play withstanding a replay review.

Brady, with all kinds of time to throw, went right back to a wide-open Evans on the next play, picking up 24 yards to the 9.

After Fournette gained 5 yards over right tackle, Tampa Bay ran an end-around to Godwin. An offside penalty against Cincinnati moved the ball 3 yards to the 2.

But Fournette was stopped after a 1-yard gain, and Brady’s pass into the end zone for Russell Gage was incomplete, bringing up fourth and goal.

Brady went back to Gage in the back left corner of the end zone, extending the Bucs’ lead to 10-0 less than a minute into the second quarter.

Taking advantage Bucs quarterback Tom Brady (12) works in the pocket during the first quarter. [ CHRIS O’MEARA | AP ]

Handed the ball at their 30-yard line following Carlton Davis’ interception, Tom Brady completed four of six passes for 47 yards as the Bucs drove for a field goal on their opening possession.

Brady threw passes of 5 yards to Chris Godwin and 6 to Russell Gage to give them their first, first down at their 41.

After two runs by Rachaad White produced just 2 yards, the Bucs faced third and 8 from their 42. Brady threw a 16-yard strike over the middle to Mike Evans, resulting in a first down at the Bengals 41.

Tight end Cade Otton then took a play-action pass 20 yards to the Cincinnati 21. After three more White runs picked up 16 yards, Brady’s pass into the end zone for Gage was broke up by Jessie Bates. On third and 3 from the 4, Brady was stopped after a 1-yard gain.

Left tackle Donovan Smith left with a foot injury late in the drive but returned for the start of the next one.

The Bucs settled for Ryan Succop’s 21-yard field goal and a 3-0 lead with just over six minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Bending, not breaking Bucs cornerback Carlton Davis III (24) celebrates his interception against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter. [ CHRIS O’MEARA | AP ]

The Bucs’ defense allowed first downs on three of the Bengals’ first fours play from scrimmage but made the biggest play of Cincinnati’s opening possession by creating a turnover.

With the Bengals at the Bucs 40-yard line, safety Keanu Neal tipped a Joe Burrow pass into the air, and it was intercepted by cornerback Carlton Davis.

The Bengals needed just one play to pick up their first, first down as Burrow threw to Tee Higgins for 12 yards to the Cincinnati 37-yard line. After a 7-yard completion to Higgins, Joe Mixon ran up the middle for another first down at the 49.

A swing pass to Mixon picked up 11 more yards to the Tampa Bay 40, setting the stage for Davis’ interception.

A chance to take risks, without the risk Bucs safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) closes on Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) during a 2021 preseason game in Tampa. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]

If the Bucs beat the Panthers and Falcons in their final two regular-season games, they’ll win the NFC South.

Win those games, and Tampa Bay (6-7) will finish no worse than 8-9, a record Carolina (5-9), Atlanta (5-9) and New Orleans (5-9) can only match by emerging victorious in their remaining games. And the Bucs would win any tiebreaker based on a better division record.

So, how should we view the remaining non-division games today against the Bengals and Christmas night against the Cardinals?

As opportunities.

Every Bucs win and Panthers or Falcons loss moves Tampa Bay one step closer to the division crown and home playoff game in the wild-card round that comes with it.

But win or lose, these next two games give the Bucs a chance to work out their issues on offense in lower-risk situations.

Obviously, the sooner they can clinch, the better. But they also want to be at their best when the division title is on the line and enter the playoffs as a team with a real chance to do some damage, not be one-and-done.

So, what is there to work on?

• A scoring offense that ranks fourth-worst in the NFL in total touchdowns with 22.

• A running game that ranks last in the league with 948 yards and 3.3 yards per carry.

• A passing game that averages 6.2 yards per attempt, the lowest since Tom Brady became a starter in 2001.

The play-calling has seemed conservative and predictable, especially on first down, putting the Bucs in too many third-and-long situations.

Neither Leonard Fournette nor Rachaad White has separated himself at the tailback position, and Tampa Bay appears to abandon its rushing offense too early in games.

Brady seems to be getting rid of the ball too quickly, a sign that he doesn’t trust an offensive line whose only remaining starter from the Super Bowl 55 team (left tackle Donovan Smith) is having his worst season.

Brady and wide receiver Chris Godwin are starting to rediscover their chemistry, but the quarterback and receiver Mike Evans continue to have difficulty connecting, particularly on downfield throws.

Injuries have kept receivers Julio Jones and Russell Gage from getting into any kind of rhythm with Brady.

Tight end Cade Otton has made some big plays but has not yet developed into the downfield or red-zone threat Rob Gronkowski was.

The next two games give the Bucs a chance to play with their personnel groupings, be bolder with their play-calling and try to find some things that work for them before they enter the elimination stage of the season.

So, why not?

There’s little to lose, and much to gain.

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A little light reading

Here’s some of our content leading up to today’s game:

Why isn’t Tom Brady going deep anymore?

Why do the Bucs, fans appear to be souring on Todd Bowles?

Vita Vea, Jamel Dean, Carl Nassib out vs. Bengals

Attrition has forced Bucs safety Logan Ryan to evolve from injured to ‘iron man’

Tom Brady: Todd Bowles is ‘putting it on us to fix’ Bucs’ season

Tristan Wirfs returns to Bucs practice, but status for Sunday still unclear

Tom Brady denies report that he makes 11th-hour changes to Bucs’ game plan

Deven Thompkins’ career finally is gathering speed

Bucs secondary might be healthier, deeper when Joe Burrow and Bengals arrive

Time for the Bucs to ditch the game plan and get funky on offense

Once projected to dominate their division, Bucs now simply hope to escape it

Tom Brady reveals ‘most memorable’ touchdown pass of his NFL career

Todd Bowles said he never considered pulling Tom Brady from Sunday’s blowout

• • •

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