Predicted Stat Line: Buccaneers NT Vita Vea vs Cincinnati

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will open the 2026 season Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium.

Vita Vea enters the matchup as one of Tampa Bay’s most important defensive players. The two-time Pro Bowler recently secured his future with the Buccaneers through a contract extension.

Vea produced 34 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hits during the 2025 season. His interior presence could be especially important against Cincinnati’s offense.

Predicted Stat Line for Vita Vea vs Cincinnati Bengals

– Tackles: 3-5
– Sacks: 0.5-1
– Forced Fumbles: 0-1
– Quarterback Hits: 1-3

Key Factors Influencing

– Vea’s strength and size make him difficult for opposing offensive lines to handle inside.

– His interior pressure could give Tampa Bay’s edge rushers better opportunities against Joe Burrow.

– Vea recorded 4.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hits last season.

– Cincinnati will have to account for Vea while also handling Tampa Bay’s other defensive linemen.

Final Stat Predictions

– Tackles: 4
– Sacks: 1
– Forced Fumbles: 0
– Quarterback Hits: 2

Vea has an opportunity to make his presence felt immediately against Cincinnati’s offensive line.

His ability to collapse the pocket from the interior could create problems for Burrow throughout the opener. The Buccaneers will need Vea at his disruptive best against one of the NFL’s talented offenses.

Prediction: Four tackles, one sack, zero forced fumbles and two quarterback hits.