Baker Mayfield vs. Joe Burrow in Week 1: Former NFL player predicts 'fireworks'

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Cincinnati Bengals Week 1 game didn't make our list of the top matchups to circle when the full 2026 NFL schedule dropped last week, but perhaps it should have.

If viewers needed any convincing about what this showdown offers, Jahleel Addae is here to sell it.

The former NFL safety appeared on Good Morning Football yesterday, sharing his excitement at the prospect of watching the Bucs' Baker Mayfield and Bengals' Joe Burrow go head-to-head.

"I wanna see fireworks," Addae said. "I wanna see fireworks from both of these guys."

Mayfield vs. Burrow: Two very different QBs

Clearly, the game's major selling point, Addae explained what he sees in the game's two gunslingers.

"Joe Burrow is Joe Burrow, he's cool, he's fresh, he's calm under pressure," he said.

"Baker Mayfield is fiery, he wears his emotion on his sleeve, you never know what you're going to get from him."

Both quarterbacks have something to prove in Week 1.

Burrow missed nine games last year with a toe injury, and the Bengals went 6-11, missing the postseason for the third straight year.

Mayfield's passing touchdown numbers dipped significantly, as Tampa Bay squandered its 6-2 start by going 2-7 down the stretch.

With both teams desperate to come out firing, plenty is riding on this one.

And with Mayfield returning to Ohio, where his time with the Browns ended in such acrimonious circumstances, he'll be motivated by the opportunity to show the local crowd what they're missing.

Buccaneers vs. Bengals: A close game?

Mayfield is 6-2 against the Bengals for his career, but most of those came during his stint with the Browns, and he's embarking on a 2026 season with Tampa without future Hall of Famer Mike Evans, who joined the 49ers in free agency.

And while Mayfield's Bucs might have the more complete roster, the oddsmakers currently have Cincinnati as 2.5-3.5-point favourites, depending on the book.

A big reason why is the combination of Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins, who make Cincinnati's offense extremely hard to contain.

Addae didn't add a prediction, but he does not doubt about what kind of game this is going to be.

"They're big-time franchise quarterbacks. Both of these guys have got aura," he said. "This one's going to be a showdown.

"The NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and the viewers are ready to see this one go down."

It's impossible to argue with that.

How to watch Buccaneers vs. Bengals

The game will be broadcast live on DAZN for NFL Game Pass subscribers.

In the US, the game will be broadcast on Fox and NFL+.

• Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026 (Week 1)
• UK (BST): 11pm
• US (ET): 6pm
• US (PT): 3pm
• Venue: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio