The Denver Broncos have had a rough start to the 2024 season, and an 0-2 hole won’t be easy to dig out of for a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2015. Going on the road to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) seems like a tall order right now.
The Broncos are relatively healthy heading into the game but will be without starting outside linebacker Baron Browning. The Buccaneers will be without several key players, including defensive tackle Vita Vea, safety Antoine Winfield, right tackle Luke Goedeke and defensive lineman Calijah Kancey.
After a big away win over the Detroit Lions last Sunday, the Bucs will be looking to avoid a disappointment against the Broncos. For Denver, a surprise win here will get the season back on track.
Top storylines for the Broncos vs Buccaneers game in Week 3
Can the Broncos get their passing game moving?
This applies to the entire offensive side of Broncos football, but particularly the passing game.
Sean Payton softened his game plan to avoid overwhelming rookie quarterback Bo Nix, but it led to disastrous results. The Pittsburgh Steelers even joked about how easy it was to defend their team last week.
The Broncos absolutely need to open up the passing attack this week. It could lead to some uncomfortable situations for Nix, but if he’s on the field to learn, let him learn. This dink-and-dunk attack just won’t get the job done, so Nix needs to take some chances on the field with someone like Marvin Mims Jr. or Troy Franklin (if he’s even active with Devaughn Vele back).
TENDENCY: #Broncos Rookie QB Bo Nix took 15 seconds to relay the play call…
Probably one of Sean Payton’s famous calls…
“13Z DEVREY HENDERSON, CHRIS IVORY, VERT RIGHT BAD Z PEEL, FAKE SLASH 37, BUSTER BLUFF, NU RIGHT X POST, Y-BITE…”pic.twitter.com/H9NZZBU2F7
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 16, 2024
If the Broncos don’t change their game plan, especially in the passing game, it’s going to be another long day.
The Broncos have always had success in Tampa
Tampa Bay joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1976. This will be only the fifth regular-season meeting between the two teams, and the Broncos have won three of the previous four. Their only loss in Tampa came in September 1999, a 13-10 defeat.
That may not mean much given that these two teams are completely different since they play each other once every four years, but it’s a mark that bodes well in the Broncos’ favor.
Traditionally, West Coast teams have a hard time getting an early start on the East Coast, so the Broncos will need to be ready to play. Even in a loss, the team could lean on elements that could keep this season afloat. But a crushing loss where the team appears unprepared and uninterested would be devastating.
You only have to think back to last season to see this. In Week 3, the Broncos kicked off in Florida against the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins went on to score 70 points and run for what seemed like 1,000 yards against them. That loss dropped the Broncos to 0-3, just as a loss to Tampa Bay would.
This can never happen again.
Pat Surtain II vs Mike Evans
This will be the marquee matchup of this game. Pat Surtain is always going to draw the opponent’s No. 1 receiver, but as good as he is, Mike Evans isn’t going to back down and Baker Mayfield isn’t going to hesitate to throw the ball that way.
Last week, Evans had just three receptions for 42 yards on six targets. Expect the Buccaneers to throw the ball to him a lot more often in this game. If Surtain can make a play or two in those situations, it could change the dynamic of the game.
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