Not since the Jon Gruden era have the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gotten off to this hot of a start. Back in 2005 the team started 3-0, which is the last time they've done such a thing and can end that streak on Sunday against the Denver Broncos.
It should be an easy task but all the ingredients for a trap game are present. Tampa Bay is flying high after crushing the Commanders in Week 1 and then following that up with a statement win on the road in Detroit last Sunday.
The Broncos aren't a good team, which means the Buccaneers need to stay out of their own way to ensure a victory. Bo Nix has been flat-out bad, the defense has been good but not enough to win games, and the offensive line will be missing a key piece.
We've seen the Bucs lose games like this in the past, though, which naturally has fans cautious. Still, this is a much better roster than we've seen since 2021, and a win on Sunday would make it undeniable how dominant Tampa Bay is.
Announcers for Buccaneers vs. Broncos Week 3
For the first time this season, Buccaneers fans will be hearing new voices in the booth for a game. Kevin Kugler and Daryl Johnston were on the call for Tampa Bay's first two games, but Tim Brando and Matt Millen will be replacing them for Week 3.
It was just coincidence that Kugler and Johnston called both wins over the Commanders and Lions, which sets the bar high for Brando and Millen to keep the streak alive.
Referees for Buccaneers vs. Broncos
Head Referee (Crew Chief)
This week Alan Eck will be officiating the game with his crew, and if that's a name fans aren't that familiar with then there's a good reason for that.
Eck is in just his second season as a head NFL official, having made is debut last year. He's been around since 2016, though, working as a side judge and umpire on various crews. In the nine years he's been working games, Eck has been part of calling 10 Buccaneers games, including last year as a lead official for Tampa Bay's game against Tennessee.
Full Officiating Crew
Here's the full crew that will be working the game on Sunday with Alan Eck:
- Umpire: Tab Slaughter
- Line Judge: Derek Anderson
- Side Judge: John Jenkins
- Field Judge: Dale Shaw
- Back Judge: Greg Myers
- Center Judge: Derick Bowers
Buccaneers vs. Broncos TV channel and start time
It's a NFL on FOX doubleheader this week, as the Bucs-Broncos game will be followed by the Cowboys-Ravens for most of the country -- including the Tampa area. There's only one CBS game, which will air in the late window and feature the Dolphins heading out west to Seattle to face the Seahawks.
As for the Bucs game, ere's everything you need to know to catch today's game:
- Date: Sunday, September 22, 2024
- Start Time: 1 pm ET
- Location: Raymond James Stadium | Tampa Bay, FL
- TV Channel: FOX
- Announcers: Tim Brando, Matt Millen
- Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket | Fubo
- Radio: WXTB 97.9 FM | More Radio Affiliates
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