Bengals vs. Buccaneers score update: Tampa Bay leads 3-0 on defensive effort

After one quarter of football, the Bucs lead the Bengals 3-0 thanks to a dominant defensive effort.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers once again got off to a great start, something that's become almost a tradition over the past weeks. On the very first play of the game, Johnthan Banks picked off A.J. Green and set his team up in the red zone.

The offense couldn't convert, somewhat predictably, although the reason why was new: backup center Garrett Gilkey's shotgun snap never got off the ground. Josh McCown managed to salvage it and they at least got a field goal out of it, taking a 3-0 lead.

On the Bengals' second drive, Gerald McCoy dominated, forcing a tackle for loss , getting a tackle, and then getting a sack for a quick three-and-out. And the third drive once again saw McCoy beating the Bengals' guards to force yet another punt.

Despite all of that defensive help, the Bucs' offense couldn't do much. Doug Martin does look like a better back today with three big runs, one of them called back on a penalty. That's a good sign going forward, and the Bucs offense is driving heading into the second quarter.