The Bucs are 2-0, contrary to popular belief. They have looked like one of the NFL’s best teams through two weeks, but they know this is only the beginning. Coach Todd Bowles and his players spoke about only not taking their opponent lightly, but treating this as a “must-win” type game.
With injuries still lingering, we will see how this Tampa Bay defense fares without some of their top players. Denver’s rookie QB Bo Nix and their entire offense has struggled so far and they have a chance to take advantage of a defense without their top interior disruptors and the highest-paid safety in all of the league.
Check out this week’s predictions from The 813’s staff members:
JC Cornell (@CornellNFL)
Todd Bowles loves matchups against rookie Quarterbacks. Bo Nix has been awful through two games with zero TD’s and 4 interceptions. Bucs will pressure Nix all game long and I predict a huge game for Yaya Diaby.
On the offensive side of the ball, lead by Baker Mayfield, Bucs will slice and dice the Broncos secondary. Patrick Surtain will try to stop Mike Evans but Chris Godwin will have a huge role in beating the Broncos. I expect Godwin to have at least seven receptions and could eclipse 100 yards receiving.
Bottom line, Buccaneers are too talented for this Broncos roster. Sean Payton may have had success against the Buccaneers in the past but not this Sunday.
Bucs 38 - Broncos 6
Samer Ali (@TheSamerAli)
The Buccaneers running game has it's breakout week finally, with Rachaad White eclipsing 100 yards on the ground and 50 yards through the air, while Bucky Irving adds another 65 yards on the ground. White and Irving combine for three Touchdowns on the ground as the Bucs offense continues it's hot play at home. The Baker Mayfield and Chris Godwin connection adds another 100+ yard game for Godwin, as Baker navigates Liam Coen's offense efficiently and effectively all afternoon. On the other side of the ball, the Bucs defense continues where it left off in Detroit, as they face their second rookie quarterback in three games, forcing three turnovers on the day and keeping Bo Nix from his first NFL passing touchdown. Nix struggles as the Broncos offensive woes stand no chance against a physical and fast Bucs defense led by Jordan Whitehead, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and YaYa Diaby, who notches his first 2 sacks of the season.
Bucs 38 - Broncos 13
Rock Riley (@realrockriley)
Baker Mayfield and the air attack will thrive. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan will all have a day. RT Justin Skule will be better not having Aidan Hutchinson breathing down his neck.
Even though the Bucs defense is banged up, the Broncos offense is weak. The Bucs finally hit that 3-0 mark!
Bucs 34 - Broncos 17
Christian Perez (@PAPiLATTE)
This Bucs’ offense will make it a point to get the rushing attack going early-and-often, Rachaad White will see over 100 yards on the ground. As for turnovers, Yaya Diaby will get his first sack on the season and a forced-fumble along the way.
Bucs 31 - Broncos 13
Stank Bastard (@StankBastard)
Sean Payton, once the mastermind behind the New Orleans Saints’ powerhouse offense, now leads the Denver Broncos into Tampa Bay, but he's a shadow of the coach he once was. There’s no mistaking the weight he carries—haunted by a painful chapter in his career when Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tore his dreams apart. That fateful playoff loss left a mark deeper than just a game; it was the night his heart was ripped out. You can see it in his weary eyes, in the way he walks the sideline like a man still searching for something he lost in that Superdome. The swagger that once defined him, the confident play-caller who brought New Orleans its only Super Bowl, is gone. He hides behind his headset, behind his schemes, but the pain is always there, lingering in his expression. Payton hasn’t truly recovered, and it shows. The Broncos we’re supposed to be his fresh start, but he carries the of burden a broken man trying to patch together the remnants of his legacy. As Payton faces the Buccaneers again, the ghosts of that loss follow him. Every snap, every pass, carries the weight of his anguish. He might be leading a new team, but the wounds from New Orleans have yet to heal, and they haunt him as he returns to face the team that forever altered his course. It won’t go well for him.
Bucs 31 - Ponies 12
James Yarcho (@JYarcho_BUCS)
The Broncos are allowing over 190 yards per game on the ground and you know that Rachaad White and Bucky Irving are chomping at the bit to get going. Neither was utilized all that much against Detroit, but this week the two should combine for well over 50% of the total offensive touches.
Hand it to them, throw it to them, dump it off to them - whatever Liam Coen and Baker Mayfield need to do to get the ball into the hands of White and Irving, it needs to be done. Get them in space and watch them work their magic. Both backs for the Bucs hit pay dirt this week and get their first touchdowns of the season.
Bucs 24 - Broncos 13
Maura Carey (@mauracareyNFL)
Playing at their level and dodging a trap game will be the biggest challenge as the Buccaneers host the Broncos for a Week 3 matchup. The Bucs run the risk of a slow start, but a gritty team finds their momentum in the second quarter. It’s a hard fought duel between Pat Surtain and Mike Evans, making it yet another prime opportunity for Chris Godwin to show out in the slot. Bo Nix continues to struggle with turnovers and simple mistakes, and the Bucs take full advantage of the opportunity with a 27-13 victory.
Bucs 27 - Broncos 13
Jaret Rojas (@RojasTalksTampa)
The Bucs still deal with injuries, but now face a much lighter test at home against the 0-2 Broncos than their week two match-up. Although it’s a game that looks completely in favor of Tampa, it’s been two rough weeks for Denver and this Broncos offense is desperately searching for success under head coach Sean Payton and rookie QB Bo Nix.
Todd Bowles defense has only recorded two sacks on the season and will be looking to up their numbers against the struggling offense. It will be an interesting, inter-conference battle against an extra familiar face calling the shot on the opposite side. Closer than expected by most Bucs’ fans, but Tampa Bay will walk out of week three, 3-0!
Bucs 26 - Broncos 20
Jordan Irizarry (@IzzyPhantasmo)
If the game vs the Commanders was any indication of what to expect, it’s that HC Todd Bowles will use a ton of pressure packages and man coverage to frustrate a young passer.
Bo Nix isn’t lighting the world up on fire, he’s struggling to pass over 10+ yards plus he’s coming into this game throwing for 0 TDs and 4 INTs. All the while, The Bucs defense has faced the most passing attempts against them (a league leading 80 attempts) but has yet to surrender a single passing TD in the first two games of the season. Both Zyon McCollum and Christian Izien had an INT last week vs Jared Goff, so you can expect the Bucs to be ballhawks during this matchup.
The Bucs offense has a chance to rebound and become that explosive yet balanced unit they all know they can be. They struggled on the ground last week but Denver’s rushing defense is ranked 29th as of right now, so Rachaad and Bucky will be fed early and often. I can see the Bucs rushing attack go over 100 yards while both Bucky and Rachaad score their first TD of the season.
Baker has been ballin’ these past two weeks, 5 passing TDs and a 129.1 Passer Rating, I don’t expect him to slow down going into this game. Yes, Patrick Surtain is the Bronco’s best defensive player but Mike Evans with Chris Godwin beside him will give the Bucs a big opportunity to throw it around the field and establish an old school “Air Raid” style offense vs Denver. Baker finishes the day with 300+ passing yards and another multiple passing TD game while Mike and Chris both go over 100 yards and have a TD to their name again.
Bucs 35 - Broncos 13
When: Sunday, September 22
Where: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL)
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
TV: FOX – Tim Brando (Play by Play), Matt Millen (Analyst), Sarah Kustok (Reporter)
Bucs Radio: 98Rock – Gene Deckerhoff (Play by Play), Dave Moore (Color), T.J. Rives (Reporter)
Spanish Radio: 96.1 Caliente – Carlos Bohorquez (Play by Play), Martín Gramática (Analyst)
The Bucs are 2-0, contrary to popular belief. They have looked like one of the NFL’s best teams through two weeks, but they know this is only the beginning. Coach Todd Bowles and his players spoke about only not taking their opponent lightly, but treating this as a “must-win” type game.
With injuries still lingering, we will see how this Tampa Bay defense fares without some of their top players. Denver’s rookie QB Bo Nix and their entire offense has struggled so far and they have a chance to take advantage of a defense without their top interior disruptors and the highest-paid safety in all of the league.
Check out this week’s predictions from The 813’s staff members:
JC Cornell (@CornellNFL)
Todd Bowles loves matchups against rookie Quarterbacks. Bo Nix has been awful through two games with zero TD’s and 4 interceptions. Bucs will pressure Nix all game long and I predict a huge game for Yaya Diaby.
On the offensive side of the ball, lead by Baker Mayfield, Bucs will slice and dice the Broncos secondary. Patrick Surtain will try to stop Mike Evans but Chris Godwin will have a huge role in beating the Broncos. I expect Godwin to have at least seven receptions and could eclipse 100 yards receiving.
Bottom line, Buccaneers are too talented for this Broncos roster. Sean Payton may have had success against the Buccaneers in the past but not this Sunday.
Bucs 38 - Broncos 6
Samer Ali (@TheSamerAli)
The Buccaneers running game has it's breakout week finally, with Rachaad White eclipsing 100 yards on the ground and 50 yards through the air, while Bucky Irving adds another 65 yards on the ground. White and Irving combine for three Touchdowns on the ground as the Bucs offense continues it's hot play at home. The Baker Mayfield and Chris Godwin connection adds another 100+ yard game for Godwin, as Baker navigates Liam Coen's offense efficiently and effectively all afternoon. On the other side of the ball, the Bucs defense continues where it left off in Detroit, as they face their second rookie quarterback in three games, forcing three turnovers on the day and keeping Bo Nix from his first NFL passing touchdown. Nix struggles as the Broncos offensive woes stand no chance against a physical and fast Bucs defense led by Jordan Whitehead, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and YaYa Diaby, who notches his first 2 sacks of the season.
Bucs 38 - Broncos 13
Rock Riley (@realrockriley)
Baker Mayfield and the air attack will thrive. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan will all have a day. RT Justin Skule will be better not having Aidan Hutchinson breathing down his neck.
Even though the Bucs defense is banged up, the Broncos offense is weak. The Bucs finally hit that 3-0 mark!
Bucs 34 - Broncos 17
Christian Perez (@PAPiLATTE)
This Bucs’ offense will make it a point to get the rushing attack going early-and-often, Rachaad White will see over 100 yards on the ground. As for turnovers, Yaya Diaby will get his first sack on the season and a forced-fumble along the way.
Bucs 31 - Broncos 13
Stank Bastard (@StankBastard)
Sean Payton, once the mastermind behind the New Orleans Saints’ powerhouse offense, now leads the Denver Broncos into Tampa Bay, but he's a shadow of the coach he once was. There’s no mistaking the weight he carries—haunted by a painful chapter in his career when Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tore his dreams apart. That fateful playoff loss left a mark deeper than just a game; it was the night his heart was ripped out. You can see it in his weary eyes, in the way he walks the sideline like a man still searching for something he lost in that Superdome. The swagger that once defined him, the confident play-caller who brought New Orleans its only Super Bowl, is gone. He hides behind his headset, behind his schemes, but the pain is always there, lingering in his expression. Payton hasn’t truly recovered, and it shows. The Broncos we’re supposed to be his fresh start, but he carries the of burden a broken man trying to patch together the remnants of his legacy. As Payton faces the Buccaneers again, the ghosts of that loss follow him. Every snap, every pass, carries the weight of his anguish. He might be leading a new team, but the wounds from New Orleans have yet to heal, and they haunt him as he returns to face the team that forever altered his course. It won’t go well for him.
Bucs 31 - Ponies 12
James Yarcho (@JYarcho_BUCS)
The Broncos are allowing over 190 yards per game on the ground and you know that Rachaad White and Bucky Irving are chomping at the bit to get going. Neither was utilized all that much against Detroit, but this week the two should combine for well over 50% of the total offensive touches.
Hand it to them, throw it to them, dump it off to them - whatever Liam Coen and Baker Mayfield need to do to get the ball into the hands of White and Irving, it needs to be done. Get them in space and watch them work their magic. Both backs for the Bucs hit pay dirt this week and get their first touchdowns of the season.
Bucs 24 - Broncos 13
Maura Carey (@mauracareyNFL)
Playing at their level and dodging a trap game will be the biggest challenge as the Buccaneers host the Broncos for a Week 3 matchup. The Bucs run the risk of a slow start, but a gritty team finds their momentum in the second quarter. It’s a hard fought duel between Pat Surtain and Mike Evans, making it yet another prime opportunity for Chris Godwin to show out in the slot. Bo Nix continues to struggle with turnovers and simple mistakes, and the Bucs take full advantage of the opportunity with a 27-13 victory.
Bucs 27 - Broncos 13
Jaret Rojas (@RojasTalksTampa)
The Bucs still deal with injuries, but now face a much lighter test at home against the 0-2 Broncos than their week two match-up. Although it’s a game that looks completely in favor of Tampa, it’s been two rough weeks for Denver and this Broncos offense is desperately searching for success under head coach Sean Payton and rookie QB Bo Nix.
Todd Bowles defense has only recorded two sacks on the season and will be looking to up their numbers against the struggling offense. It will be an interesting, inter-conference battle against an extra familiar face calling the shot on the opposite side. Closer than expected by most Bucs’ fans, but Tampa Bay will walk out of week three, 3-0!
Bucs 26 - Broncos 20
Jordan Irizarry (@IzzyPhantasmo)
If the game vs the Commanders was any indication of what to expect, it’s that HC Todd Bowles will use a ton of pressure packages and man coverage to frustrate a young passer.
Bo Nix isn’t lighting the world up on fire, he’s struggling to pass over 10+ yards plus he’s coming into this game throwing for 0 TDs and 4 INTs. All the while, The Bucs defense has faced the most passing attempts against them (a league leading 80 attempts) but has yet to surrender a single passing TD in the first two games of the season. Both Zyon McCollum and Christian Izien had an INT last week vs Jared Goff, so you can expect the Bucs to be ballhawks during this matchup.
The Bucs offense has a chance to rebound and become that explosive yet balanced unit they all know they can be. They struggled on the ground last week but Denver’s rushing defense is ranked 29th as of right now, so Rachaad and Bucky will be fed early and often. I can see the Bucs rushing attack go over 100 yards while both Bucky and Rachaad score their first TD of the season.
Baker has been ballin’ these past two weeks, 5 passing TDs and a 129.1 Passer Rating, I don’t expect him to slow down going into this game. Yes, Patrick Surtain is the Bronco’s best defensive player but Mike Evans with Chris Godwin beside him will give the Bucs a big opportunity to throw it around the field and establish an old school “Air Raid” style offense vs Denver. Baker finishes the day with 300+ passing yards and another multiple passing TD game while Mike and Chris both go over 100 yards and have a TD to their name again.
Bucs 35 - Broncos 13
When: Sunday, September 22
Where: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL)
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
TV: FOX – Tim Brando (Play by Play), Matt Millen (Analyst), Sarah Kustok (Reporter)
Bucs Radio: 98Rock – Gene Deckerhoff (Play by Play), Dave Moore (Color), T.J. Rives (Reporter)
Spanish Radio: 96.1 Caliente – Carlos Bohorquez (Play by Play), Martín Gramática (Analyst)
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