Buccaneers vs Broncos
when: Sunday, September 22, 2024 | where: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL) | kick off: 1:00 PM ET | tv set: Fox
Play-by-play: Tim Brand | Analyst: Matt Millen Side job: Sarah Kustok
wireless: 98 Rock 97.9FM | Play-by-play: Jean Deckerhoff | Analyst: Dave Moore | Side job: TJ Reeves
With game day fast approaching, it’s time for the Pewter Report staff to make their weekly match predictions and provide match previews for this week’s matchups. Let us know what you think in the comments section of the article and share your predictions with us.
Scott Reynolds: Buccaneers use weather to beat Broncos
Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin – Photo by Cliff Welch P/R
Temperatures in the Mile High City were in the 70s. The 0-2 Broncos practiced this week in preparation for this week’s game against the 2-0 Buccaneers. Temperatures will be in the high 40s when the Broncos board their flight from Denver on Saturday morning, a far cry from the muggy 88-degree temperature in Tampa where they’ll play at 1 p.m. Sunday. Temperatures will reach 90 degrees by the second half of the game, and with humidity, it will “feel” like 100 degrees. Florida won’t have the crisp mountain air the Broncos are accustomed to.
That, plus a much more talented roster, should allow the Buccaneers to hold off the Broncos, whose rookie quarterback Bo Nix has struggled offensively, throwing four interceptions and zero touchdowns in his first two games. Denver can’t throw the ball or run it, which is good news for a Tampa Bay defense that will again be without starting defensive tackles Vita Vea and Carigia and All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr.
The Broncos defense is better than the Commanders defense, but not as good as the Lions defense was a week ago. Still, the Buccaneers have too many weapons and quarterback Baker Mayfield is playing so well that the Broncos are unlikely to pull off the upset in Tampa Bay. The only way an upset could happen is if the Buccaneers are careless with the ball and the turnover margin is skewed in favor of the Broncos. But this Tampa Bay is too focused. Expect a dominating performance as the Buccaneers improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2005.
Reynolds’ predictions: Buccaneers 31, Broncos 13
Reynolds’ season record: 2-0
Matt Matera: Buccaneers beat Broncos
This should be a big game for the Buccaneers. There’s no other way to explain it. Good teams overpower weaker opponents, and that’s exactly what Tampa Bay needs to do. If they can beat the Lions on the road and without their best player, they should be able to beat the Broncos. Tampa Bay has areas to improve on both offense and defense, so this is a chance to fine-tune some areas.
Buccaneers DT Greg Gaines, LG Ben Bredeson – Photo courtesy of USA Today
I’m not worried about the Buccaneers being without right tackle Luke Goedeke again, defensive tackle Kalijah Kansey again and possibly Vita Vea as well. Justin Sukur won’t be facing Aidan Hutchinson again and should be able to prove himself a bit more. C.J. Brewer and Mike Green are strong backups promoted from the practice squad, and role player Greg Gaines has proven he can thrive without a starter.
Tampa Bay will have to face a blitz-heavy Broncos team. Protecting Baker Mayfield will be tough for the offensive line, but he’s playing at an MVP level and can overcome whatever Denver throws at them. Mike Evans vs. Patrick Surtain is the premier matchup, but it will be important for the Bucs to develop a ground game with Rachel White and Bucky Irving. Also, facing rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who has struggled to pass the ball down the field, means the defense will have some opportunities for turnovers on Sunday.
Matera’s prediction: Buccaneers 31, Broncos 10
Matera’s season record: 1-1
Bayley Adams: Buccaneers stun Broncos to remain unbeaten
Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin – Photo courtesy of USA Today
On paper, this shouldn’t be a close game. That doesn’t mean it won’t be close, but at least this time I’m going to go with what I expect on paper. The Buccaneers are a much more talented team, and I believe they’ll get the job done this time against a weaker opponent, unlike past Buccaneers teams. Baker Mayfield is off to a good start, as is Chris Godwin. Mike Evans had two scores in Week 1 and I think he’ll be big again at home on Sunday. And I believe the combo of Rachel White and Bucky Irving will finally get the run game going against a Denver defense that’s allowed over 140 rushing yards per game this season.
Given my positive impressions of the Buccaneers’ offense, Todd Bowles’ defense shouldn’t have to do much to compensate for Mayfield and co.’s efforts to win the game. But I think they’ll win. This is a Broncos offense that has yet to figure things out on the ground or through the air. And I think Tampa Bay will give rookie quarterback Bo Nix 3-5 sacks. Possibly a couple more interceptionsThe Broncos’ lack of running ability hasn’t helped the Knicks so far, and it’s unclear if he’ll get any extra help in this one.
Denver’s only hope (unless the Knicks suddenly break out) is if their defense can keep the scoring low. If that happens and Tampa Bay’s offense doesn’t perform, there may be plenty of room for the visitors to take a chance and pull off the upset, but I don’t see that happening. The Buccaneers have come out on top in a big way, improving to 3-0 this year and 5-1 in their past six games at Raymond James Stadium.
Adams’ prediction: Buccaneers 34, Broncos 13
Adams season record: 1-1
Josh Quepo: Buccaneers beat Broncos
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield – Photo courtesy of USA Today
While the Broncos are rudderless and adrift, the Buccaneers are on the rise thanks to a young and talented roster. Denver’s starting quarterback Bo Nix has proven not yet ready for the NFL, and head coach Sean Payton doesn’t seem willing to simplify things for him. If the Broncos have any hope of scoring enough points to win, they need to run the ball effectively. The problem is that their run game just isn’t good.
Nix has led Denver’s rushers with 60 yards through two games, while Javonte Williams has been ineffective, with just 40. Rookie running back Audric Estime is on injured reserve after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 1, which is a big blow.
The Buccaneers’ stellar defense should be able to overwhelm the Broncos’ offense, but the offense will likely have some issues with Denver’s underrated front seven, which is generating pressures and sacks at the highest rate in the NFL. Still, Tampa Bay’s offense has a great quarterback and playmakers who can make explosive shots and limit turnovers, and they should be able to easily get past Payton’s team.
Keipo’s predictions: Buccaneers 26, Broncos 10
Keipo season record: 1-1
Adam Slivon: Buccaneers beat Bo Nix, crush Broncos
Buccaneers CB Zion McCollum – Photo Credit: USA Today
The Bucs are back in town coming off a 2-0 win over the Lions at Ford Field and will next face the underpowered Broncos. Rookie Bo Nix has struggled through two games. Pewter Report’s Bailey Adams emphasized this point in her weekly preview..
The Knicks under center seem lost and are unable to get the offense moving down the field. Running backs Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin have also failed to improve things, averaging just 2.1 and 2.5 yards per carry, respectively. Sean Payton has a reputation as an offensive genius, but he ranks 30th in scoring (13 points per game) and 29th in total offense (263 yards per game). The Buccaneers defense will be without Kalija Cancie, Antoine Winfield Jr. and likely Vita Vea for Sunday’s game, but the reserves played competent football and their contributions were outstanding. Many candidates are on the listExpect someone from the secondary to have an interception in this game.
Offensively, Baker Mayfield has been fine leading the team, but he will be battle-tested by Broncos defenders Zach Allen and Patrick Surtin II. Allen has 13 pressures through two games, and Surtin remains one of the league’s top cornerbacks. Denver’s defense is less talented than it has been in recent years, but these two could ruin the game. Vance Joseph’s unit blitzes the most in the league, and this will be a big test for the interior offensive line. Mayfield has been successful in avoiding pressure, and he will need to do that again this week. Liam Cohen will likely gameplan around handing the ball to Chris Godwin, but he’s looking good as ever. There should be more opportunities to get the run game going, especially as Tampa Bay tries to control the clock.
Overall, the Buccaneers should be able to determine how to control this game offensively and have success through the air defensively to give Bo Nix a tough time. I predict a commanding 3-0 victory for Tampa Bay.
Slivon’s prediction: Buccaneers 34, Broncos 17
Slivon season record: 1-1
