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Buccaneers Nab First Interception of 2024 vs. Cincinnati Bengals

It didn't take long for Todd Bowles' defense to make their mark during their first game of the preseason.

Collin Haalboom

Aug 19, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Jason Brownlee (16) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Keenan Isaac (16) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 19, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Jason Brownlee (16) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Keenan Isaac (16) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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Todd Bowles' defense is predicated on generating turnovers. If the defense doesn't take the ball away with some regularity, then they aren't doing their job well enough.

Well, it didn't take long for Todd Bowles to get his wish.

During the Buccaneers' first preseason game of the year on the road vs. the Bengals, the Bucs took some time to settle in. The opening drive for Cincinnati was led by Joe Burrow and the majority of the Bengals' first-team offense. The result? A 6-and-a-half minute full field drive ending with a touchdown.

Definitely not what Bowles wanted to see in his first possession calling plays for his defense. But his players responded quickly. Without Burrow at the helm, the Bengals struggled mightily to move the ball against the Buccaneers' defense for the remainder of the half.

READ MORE: Buccaneers Rookie RB Scores His First Touchdown in Preseason

Late in the second quarter, Bengals backup quarterback Jake Browning took a deep shot toward the sideline, but Buccaneers' second-year defense back Keenan Isaac said 'not today'. Browning led Kwamie Lassiter too far inside, and Isaac played the ball beautifully in the air, snagging the ball out of the air while he closed on the receiver.

Hopefully, this early interception by Keenan Isaac is a sign of things to come for Todd Bowles' defense in 2024. And for Isaac? It's a great way to make an impression on his defensive-minded head coach.

READ MORE: Rookie Identified as Bucs' Most Intriguing Player for 2024

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Collin Haalboom

COLLIN HAALBOOM

Prior to joining BucsGameday and Sports Illustrated, Collin's written content was provided through Bucs Banter, and NFL Draft Lounge. He is also the creator and host of the Bucs Banter Podcast. He is a graduate of the Communication Studies program at McMaster University, where he was also a varsity basketball player, and later an advanced scout. He lives with his wife and two children in Hamilton, ON. You can follow Collin on YouTube and Twitter.