Denver Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
· National Football LeagueRejuvenated Mayfield and Bucs look to remain unbeaten against winless Broncos
The three-time defending NFC South champions are off to another strong start, with Mayfield leading the way.
The 29-year-old quarterback, who’s revived his career since becoming Tom Brady’s successor in Tampa Bay, enters Sunday’s home game against struggling rookie QB Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos going for an eighth victory in his team's past nine regular-season outings.
Mayfield's passer rating of 129.1 is the second highest in the NFL through two games. His 33 touchdown passes since joining the Bucs last season are the third most in the league over that span.
“For me, this is what I wanted. This is the group that (I wanted). Taking a chance to come here, understanding the pieces that I had and the potential that this group could have,” said Mayfield, who bounced from Cleveland to Carolina to the Los Angeles Rams before signing a one-year deal with Tampa Bay after Brady retired.
“For me, there (were) a lot of low moments last year, so it could have even been better,” Mayfield added. “It’s never about the individual stats anyway, it’s just about trying to find ways to win. It’s been awesome so far.”
Coach Todd Bowles is not surprised that Mayfield, who signed a three-year, $100 million contract after leading the Bucs to the divisional round of last season's playoffs, has been able to handle the pressure of following Brady.
“The biggest thing he did was not try to be Tom, and the biggest thing we did was not want him to be Tom. The schemes have changed since Tom was here, the players have changed since Tom was here. Baker is his own guy,” Bowles said.
“I keep saying, ‘Nobody’s ever going to be Tom.’ You know, you put his shoes on the shelf, and you buy a new pair, and you break them in, and Baker (has) come in and he’s picked up the system well,” Bowles added. “The guys have gravitated around him; he has a place he calls home, we trust him, he trusts us, and he’s fit in very well here.”
Mayfield tossed four TD passes in a Week 1 win over Washington. He threw for one and ran for another while leading the team in rushing in last week’s 20-16 road win at Detroit.
Broncos coach Sean Payton is impressed with the way Mayfield has turned his career around.
“It’s happened maybe three or four times with first-rounders and three or four times with second-rounders. I remember doing that study prior to signing (QB) Zach (Wilson),” Payton said. “He’s tough and he’s competitive. He loves playing football.”
Denver's Bo Nix was the 12th pick in this year's draft. He has struggled mightily in losses to Seattle and Pittsburgh the past two weeks. He enters Sunday with zero touchdown passes and four interceptions, two in each of his starts.
Bowles said the Bucs are preparing for the entire Broncos offense, not Nix.
“If you just look at one guy, you’re going to get killed in this league," Bowles said. "(Rookie QBs) all have a skill set and a lot of them went in the first round. They’re very good football players. If you don’t look at the team, you’re going to get killed anyway.”
The Broncos have just two touchdowns with Nix at the helm, and Payton is contemplating simplifying things a bit by reducing the number of personnel groupings he’s been using.
“I think reducing the variables can help,” Payton said. “It’s something that I think you have to look at as a coach. You have to start, ‘All right, what could we do better?’ I think that’s one of the things that we’ve talked about quite a bit. How do we reduce the variables, and then who’s doing it? Those two things I would point to.”
“I love it. I think that’s one thing I am actually looking forward to getting back to,” Nix said. “I think it’s kind of strange because it’s going to be hot and humid, and it’s going to be uncomfortable for most. I think, especially quarterback, when you get in the game, you start feeling the effects of the humidity and temperature, I think that’s when it’s kind of like high school football all over again. I’m excited for that. I think it’s going to play a not necessarily a huge role in the game, but I’m excited to get back to it.”
How can I watch Broncos vs. Buccaneers?
- TV Channel: Broncos at Buccaneers 2021-22 NFL, week 3 is broadcasted nationally on FOX and NFL Sunday Ticket.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
In Canada, viewers can watch Broncos vs. Buccaneers on DAZN.
Statistics
DEN | TB | |
---|---|---|
13.0 | Points Per Game | 28.5 |
273.5 | Total Yards | 328.0 |
192.0 | Yards Passing | 237.0 |
81.5 | Yards Rushing | 91.0 |
19.5 | Points Allowed Per Game | 18.0 |
287.5 | Yards Allowed | 392.5 |
144.0 | Pass Yards Allowed | 254.0 |
143.5 | Rush Yards Allowed | 138.5 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Injuries
NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
---|---|---|
Rachaad White, RB | Questionable | Sep 19 |
Vita Vea, DT | Questionable | Sep 18 |
Antoine Winfield Jr., S | Questionable | Sep 18 |
Kameron Johnson, WR | Questionable | Sep 18 |
Logan Hall, DE | Questionable | Sep 18 |
Denver Broncos Injuries
NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
---|---|---|
Brandon Jones, S | Questionable | Sep 19 |
John Franklin-Myers, DE | Questionable | Sep 19 |
Baron Browning, LB | Questionable | Sep 18 |
Mike McGlinchey, OT | Injured Reserve | Sep 18 |
JL Skinner, S | Questionable | Sep 15 |
Game Information
Location: Tampa, FL - 90°
Capacity:
2024 AFC West Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | T | PF | PA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Los Angeles | 0 | 13 | 48 | 0 | 1.000 | 2 |
Kansas City | 0 | 45 | 53 | 0 | 1.000 | 2 |
Las Vegas | 1 | 45 | 36 | 0 | .500 | 1 |
Denver | 2 | 39 | 26 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
2024 NFC South Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | T | PF | PA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Orleans | 0 | 29 | 91 | 0 | 1.000 | 2 |
Tampa Bay | 0 | 36 | 57 | 0 | 1.000 | 2 |
Atlanta | 1 | 39 | 32 | 0 | .500 | 1 |
Carolina | 2 | 73 | 13 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
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