The Denver Broncos head down to Tampa Bay to face Baker Mayfield and the red-hot Tampa Bay Buccaneers. These two teams’ seasons couldn’t have started differently through two weeks. For the visiting Broncos, it’s been the struggle of getting their new rookie quarterback Bo Nix up to speed. In Tampa, it’s been a high-flying offense with Baker Mayfield balling, and a big upset over the Detroit Lions last week. Let’s take a look at this Broncos Buccaneers preview.
It’s been a tough go of it for Bo Nix in his first couple of starts as a Denver Bronco. In Week 1 in Seattle, he was just 26/42 for only 138 yards and two interceptions. The 26-20 final score looked a little better than the actual game was. In Week 2 Nix had to face the tough Pittsburgh Steelers defense but performed a little better. He went 20/35 passing for 246 yards. Two interceptions on the day were huge for Nix and the Broncos only managed six points. Nix found success scrambling in both games, maybe using his legs is something Denver will lean into a little more.
Baker Mayfield on the other side of the ball has balled out through two games. Against the Washington Commanders in Week 1 he went 24/30 for 289 yards, an impressive four touchdowns, and just one interception. In a tough-fought battle with the Lions Week 2 he went 12/19 for 185 yards with one touchdown and one interception but added 34 yards on the ground leading the Buccaneers to the 2-0 start. Tampa enters this game as only a six-point favorite despite their success.
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Denver Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preview and Predictions
Chris Godwin Over 60 Yards Receiving (-120)
The Denver Broncos have one of the best defensive backs in the entire league in Patrick Surtain. Unfortunately for Denver, he can only cover one receiver at a time. That’s exactly what we saw in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks. Surtain shut down DK Metcalf. On Sunday, he’ll likely shut down Mike Evans as well. That will leave Chris Godwin open for business, just like it left Tyler Lockett open for the Seahawks. Lockett had six catches for 77 yards on the day against the Broncos.
In two games this season, Godwin has already been tearing it up. In Week 1 against the Commanders he went for 83 yards, before really breaking out in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions where he caught seven passes for 117 yards. We know Godwin and quarterback Baker Mayfield have it in them to be explosive, with Evans being shut down on one side, it’ll leave Godwin to do his work on the other.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers -6 (-120)
It seems a little crazy that Tampa Bay is less than a touchdown favorite at home against a Denver team that just hasn’t looked that good. The Buccaneers have started the season better than most expected and while there is a case for this being a letdown spot, this Denver team hasn’t looked great through two weeks.
Denver’s defense has held up extremely well, especially on the side that Patrick Surtain is locking down. Baker Mayfield and company are still going to get theirs though, and if Bo Nix doesn’t clean up the mistakes this Tampa Bay defense will make him pay. Don’t forget about the home field advantage these Florida teams have in mid-September while the heat and humidity get to their opponents.