The Denver Broncos have gotten off to a tough start to begin 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 2-0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers seems like a daunting challenge at the moment.
The Broncos are relatively healthy going 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 road win over the Detroit Lions last Sunday, the Bucs will be looking to avoid a letdown against the lowly Broncos. For Denver, an upset win here to get the season back on track.
Top storylines for Broncos vs. Buccaneers in Week 3
Can the Broncos get the passing game going?
This applies to the entire offensive side of the football for the Broncos, but specifically the passing game.
Sean Payton has toned down the playbook in order to not overwhelm rookie quarterback Bo Nix but that has led to disastrous results. It's been so bad that the Pittsburgh Steelers were joking about how easy it was to defend this team last week.
The Broncos absolutely have to open the passing attack this week. That might lead to some uncomfortable situations for Nix, but if he's out there to learn, let him learn. This dink-and-dunk attack is just not going to get the job done so Nix needs to take some chances down the field with someone like Marvin Mims Jr. or Troy Franklin (if he's even active with Devaughn Vele back).
TRENDING: #Broncos rookie QB Bo Nix took 15 seconds to relay over the play call…
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 16, 2024
Probably one of Sean Payton’s famous calls…
“13Z DEVREY HENDERSON, CHRIS IVORY, GREEN RIGHT NASTY Z PEEL, FAKE SLASH 37, BUSTER BLUFF, NAKED RIGHT X POST, Y-BITE….”pic.twitter.com/H9NZZBU2F7
If the Broncos don't change the gameplan, particularly in the passing game, this is going to be another long day.
Broncos have had success historically in Tampa
Tampa Bay joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1976. This will be just the fifth regular-season meeting between these two teams and the Broncos have won three of the previous four. Their only loss in Tampa came back in September 1999, a 13-10 defeat.
That may not mean much with these two teams being completely different as they face each other once every four years, but it's a note that bodes well in the Broncos' favor.
Traditionally, teams on the west coast have trouble with early kickoffs on the east coast so the Broncos will need to be prepared to play. Even in a loss, the team could build on things that could keep this season afloat. But a blowout loss where the team looks unprepared and uninterested would be devastating.
All you have to do for an example of this is look back to last season. In Week 3, the Broncos had an early kickoff in Florida against the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins proceeded to drop 70 points and rush for what seemed like 1,000 yards against them. That loss dropped the Broncos to 0-3, just as a loss to Tampa Bay will.
That can't happen... ever again.
Pat Surtain II vs. Mike Evans
This is going to be the marquee matchup in this game. Pat Surtain is always going to draw the opponents' No. 1 wide receiver but as good as he is, Mike Evans isn't going to back down and Baker Mayfield isn't going to shy away from throwing the ball in that direction.
Last week, Evans had just three receptions for 42 yards on six targets. Look for the Buccaneers to throw the ball to him much more in this game. If Surtain can make a play or two in those situations, it could change the dynamics of the game.
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