Buccaneers might have caught a break after latest Broncos injury update

For the first time in a long time, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are trying to begin the season with a 3-0 record. The only thing standing in their way is the Denver Broncos, a team that not many are expecting to waltz into Raymond James Stadium and come away with a win.

That's the definition of a trap game, though, one that the Bucs are going to try and avoid falling into.

If that happens, Tampa Bay will be off to its best start since 2005. That's the last time the Bucs were. 3-0, and it was arguably the last time the team was reliably good until Tom Brady arrived over a decade later.

Baker Mayfield has the Bucs on a bold new path, one that has the offense humming and the team looking like one of the best in the NFL. The Broncos shouldn't be taken lightly, especially with how raveged by injuries the defense has been through the first few weeks.

It should be an easy win of the Bucs play up to the standard we've seen these past few weeks, and it's a game that might have gotten a little easier with the Broncos missing a key player.

Broncos not having Mike McGlinchey gives a banged up Bucs defense a big advantage

This week the Broncos placed starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey on IR, which means he'll miss Sunday's game in Tampa Bay. That's a lucky break for a Bucs defense that is already down some key players and could potentially make life a little easier.

McGlinchey is one of the best tackles in football when he's healthy, but he's struggled to do that over the last few seasons. Not having him to protect Bo Nix is a tough loss for Denver, not only because of his talent but also because it negates some losses on Tampa Bay's line that could have benefited the Broncos.

The Bucs are expected to be without Vita Vea on Sunday, although he hasn't yet officially been ruled out. He sprained his MCL in last week's win over the Lions but was practicing in a limited capacity on Friday.

Vea playing could be a potential mistake, as the Bucs upcoming stretch of games is a gauntlet that includes two divisional games and a Monday Night showdown against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Having Vea for those games over the one on Sunday -- a winnable game, even if it's a bit of a trap -- seems more important.

Calijah Kancey is also out, which would have given the Broncos a slight edge had McGlinchey been able to play. Without him, though, the playing field is back to even and the scales remain tipped in Tampa Bay's favor.

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