The Denver Broncos begin a 10-day, 2-game East Coast road trip tomorrow as they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa is on a heater by starting off the season 2-0. The Broncos, however, are struggling to face the heat as they have started the 2024 campaign 0-2.
As the Denver Broncos head into this critical Week 3 matchup, the pressure is mounting to turn things around quickly. With key players needing to step up and coaching adjustments in the spotlight, the Broncos will need to bring their best to avoid melting into the background of the NFL relevancy.
Proofs
Wide Receiver Courtland Sutton was awarded a contract extension in the offseason with the potential to earn $15.2 million this season. In the first two games, Sutton has five catches for 64 yards. If Sutton continues this level of production for the remainder of the season, he would have 42.5 catches, 544 total yards, and 0 zero touchdowns. Sutton needs to prove he is worthy of being WR1 and the extension the Denver Broncos provided.
Running back Javonte Williams lost over 10 pounds in the offseason as he continued his comeback from injuries. It was expected that Williams would return to his days of running over and through defenders and spark a running attack that would take the pressure off rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Williams has 19 carries for 40 yards so far in 2024. Williams, a fan favorite and feel-good story of the offseason, has yet to return to the productivity of his rookie year. Williams needs to be the workhorse that the struggling Broncos offense desperately needs.
Head Coach Sean Payton, General Manager George Paton, and owner Greg Penner shelled out a considerable amount of resources to the offensive line over the course of the last two years. Guard Quinn Meinerz signed a 4-year extension $72M with the Broncos in the offseason which included, $24M fully guaranteed, $45M total guaranteed. Meinerz, widely considered and paid as one of the best guards in the league, has struggled in the early going in 2024. Meinerz and the offensive line need to take a few steps forward this week and prove that they are the unit that is considered to be the strength of the Denver Broncos.
Petitions
The Broncos’ offense has lacked any sense of identity through the season’s first two weeks. The rushing attack has struggled, which allows defenses to harass and stifle rookie quarterback Bo Nix. The Broncos will need to determine who they want to be on offense. Head Coach and play caller, please take the reins off the offense and trust your playmakers, Courtland Sutton, Josh Reynolds, Marvin Mims, Jr., and Jaleel McLaughlin, to make plays.
Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph has been a welcome surprise for the Broncos this year. He has his defensive unit playing well. They have been aggressive and attacking. DL Zach Allen has been worth the Broncos’ free agent price tag. He needs to continue his dominant play. OLB Baron Browning has been ruled out of Sunday’s game, and Nik Bonitto must live up to his potential. Vance Joseph – please continue to be aggressive and allow All-world Patrick Surtain and CB Riley Moss to contain Tampa Bay’s talented receiver group.
Predictions
The Denver Broncos’ defense has been solid, minus a couple of drives, at the season’s outset. They will need to continue their efforts on Sunday if the Broncos want any kind of success in Florida. It will be a close game through three quarters. Ultimately, the heat, humidity, and the play of Tampa Bay Buccaneer quarterback Baker Mayfield will be too much for the Denver Broncos.
Tampa Bay 24 – Denver Broncos 10
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