2023 Week 3: Broncos 26, Buccaneers 7

The difference between this game's Broncos and the version of the Broncos we saw in Week 1 and 2 was that they were able to convert in the red zone. Week 1 and 2 I had said that Nix looks good but he’s made some silly mistakes and the Broncos were never able to punch it in… this week they were finally able to do that. 

Tampa’s offense went from looking like one of the best offenses in the league to pedestrian, and I have been harping on the Broncos defense as one of the high-end units this season and they finally showed the world.

Denver’s defensive success in this game was partly due to the fact that the TB offensive line play is abysmal, and the Broncos were able to get ahead early, forcing Baker to throw into Denver’s very strong secondary. Denver isn’t there yet when it comes to stopping the run, Tampa just can’t run blocks to save their lives.

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QB Report: 

- Bo Nix (25/36 for 216 yards, 9 rushes for 47-1 TD) played the best game of his short career against a very banged up Tampa defense. Nix took over this game through the air and on the ground. If it weren’t for Jayden Daniels having his way with the Cincinnati defense on MNF this would have been the best game by the rookie QBs to date.

- Nix was poised in the face of pressure, knew when to scramble/throw it away, and was much smarter with where he chose to throw the ball. Nix wasn’t forcing many throws (still some questionable decisions) and was taking what the defense gave him, very Drew Brees-esc. Nix and HC Sean Payton are perfect for each other.

- Baker Mayfield (25/33 for 163 yards, 1 TD/ 1 INT) started their second possession forcing a throw to Mike Evans who was in double coverage leading to an INT and an eventual Broncos touchdown putting them down 14. At this point in the game the only thing working for this offense was Chris Godwin (6-53-1/9) who was able to rack up good targets and an eventual touchdown.

RB Report:

- I can’t stop talking about the fact that Rachaad White (6-17-0, 5 catches for 18-0/6) looks the best he has in his NFL career, but the Bucc’s coaches, fans, and media personnel want to replace him so bad… I can’t understand why. I complain about this every time I recap a Buccaneers game. Bucky Irving (9-70-0, 3 catches for 14-0/3) had the better rushing numbers because they actually drew up creative plays for him instead of spamming HB Dive like they do for White. White ran in a touchdown that was ruled short. On replay it was good but TB never challenged the ruling on the field.

- This is going to slowly work its way into a 50/50 split with White getting the faux-starts until management realizes that it isn’t a Rachaad issue but an O-line issue.

- Last season they tried to bounce Rachaad with Sean Tucker who hardly even plays now… Bucky will have the same fate.

- I wouldn’t be surprised if one or both of Jaleel McLaughlin (5-7-1, 1 catch for 7 yards) and Javonte Williams (5-12-0, 4 catches for 29-0/4) are off this Denver team shortly. If one of them goes it will likely be McLaughlin… Javonte has out targeted Jaleel in back to back weeks. 

- Tyler Badie (9-70-0) came in late and earned 60% of his yards on one run. Denver has no RB talent so Badie may start to earn more work as McLaughlin and Williams continue to flounder.

WR/TE Report:
- Chris Godwin is the focal point of this offense, which will work as long as teams continue to double team Mike Evans (2-17-0/3). The best way to stall this offense is to double Godwin because the O-line can’t hold protection long enough for Mike Evans’ routes to develop.

- Cade Otton (7-47-0/8) had a big game but you can throw him into that group of TEs that will randomly have a big game every couple of weeks.

- Bo Nix’s favorite position to throw to is the slot receiver. Lil’Jordan Humphrey (6-37-0/8) got the snaps in the slot again this week with Devaughn Vele out again… he may be a PPR beast when he returns.

- Courtland Sutton (7-68-0/11) had a big game but it didn’t look like anything special was happening here. Sutton is the best receiver Denver has and TB dared Nix to beat them. Which he did.

D/ST Report:

- The Broncos defense may have just arrived… They've allowed just 20 points in their last two games, and 7 this week against what had been a high-powered offense coming into this game.

- Riley Moss (6 tackles, 1 PD) looked very good in man coverage this week and is a perfect compliment across the defense from Pat Surtain II (2 tackles).This is slowly becoming a top 5 CB duo.

image source: https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-3-recap-denver-broncos-26-tampa-bay-buccaneers-7. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)