3 Bold predictions for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers versus the Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
Denver Broncos and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images)
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images) /

The game will be closer than most people think

The Buccaneers have not played a complete game of football yet this season, and they have not won convincingly yet either. Their ceiling is enormously high, but as the saying goes, “what have you done for me recently?” Tampa Bay has looked sloppy on the offensive side of the ball, and even a trap game like this could reveal some major shortcomings.

More from The Pewter Plank

The Buccaneer offense has taken a massive step back from its previous juggernaut status both from a points perspective and in total yards. Even with the accurate Tom Brady at the helm and Leonard Fournette running the football, little mistakes have mitigated the offense’s efficiency.

Tampa Bay won’t have to face Drew Lock or Von Miller, but a similarly-equipped Giants team was able to escape Tampa Bay with a win with Daniel Jones under center last season. Great teams find a way to win games like this convincingly, and the Bucs should win, but this game will show if the Bucs are good or great.

Melvin Gordon should be a non-factor against the Buccaneer run defense. However, Denver is still going to field a formidable defensive, meaning that this game could come down to special teams and the defensive side of the ball.

The Buccaneers should win, but the first two games indicate that it may not be a blowout like some think.