The Denver Broncos (0-2) will look to get in the win column against the undefeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) on Sunday. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix will look to lead the visitors to victory, and get his first win in the NFL. Meanwhile, the resurgent Baker Mayfield has the Tampa Bay offense clicking and will look to continue this on Sunday afternoon.
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Broncos vs Buccaneers Odds
- Moneyline: Broncos (+250) vs Buccaneers (-310)
- Spread: Broncos +6.5 (-105) vs Buccaneers -6.5 (-115)
- Over/Under: Over 40 (-110) / Under 40 (-110)
Broncos vs Buccaneers Prediction
Buccaneers 24, Broncos 10
Tampa Bay had high hopes coming into this season, being a few plays away from the NFC Championship Game last season. Most of their roster from last years team is back including quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mayfield signed a 3 year, $100 million dollar contract extension with the Bucs in the offseason. Tampa has not missed a beat to start this season. They throttled the Commanders in week one, and outlasted an elite Detroit Lions team on the road in week two. Through two weeks, Tampa is averaging 28.5 points per game which ranks 4th in the league. They are only allowing 18 points per game on the defensive side, which ranks 6th in the league. Baker Mayfield has been clicking with wideout Chris Godwin to start the year. Mayfield has thrown for 474 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 1 interception with a 73.5 completion percentage. Godwin on the other hand has 15 receptions on 16 targets for 200 yards with 2 touchdowns. Defensively, the Buccaneers smothered a Lions offense that ranked third in yards per game and 5th in points per game last season. Tampa has looked like a real threat in the NFC to start the season.
This is not the start to the season that Denver wanted. Bo Nix had a great preseason, but has not looked good through 2 regular season games. Nix has a 59.7 completion percentage, 381 passing yards, and a 0-4 pass touchdown to interception ratio. He is only averaging 5 yards per completion. The team has one offensive touchdown, and it came in garbage time of week one against the Seahawks. Things have looked extremely bleak for this offense, and that will likely continue on Sunday. Defensively, Denver has been good enough to keep games close. This defense is the only reason the Broncos haven’t been blown out twice. They forced two safeties in a 26-20 loss to the Seahawks, and held the Steelers to 13 points last week. However, Tampa Bay will have the best offense Denver has faced so far. Patrick Surtain is an elite corner, but he can only cover one of Mike Evans or Chris Godwin. This will be a stiff test for the Broncos defense.
Broncos vs Buccaneers Best Bets
Buccaneers -6.5 (-115)
Coming off of last week where almost every favorite lost, it may be scary to back the Bucs here. However, they just have too much for the Broncos. Denver has shown almost no signs of life through two weeks, while Tampa looks ready to compete for a Super Bowl. The Bucs are coming off of a week in which they smothered an elite offense in the Lions, and the Broncos have mustered one touchdown in two games. On the flip side Tampa is 4th in points per game scoring 37 against Washington, and 20 against Detroit. The Broncos defense may make things a bit challenging for Tampa’s offense, but if Tampa gets to 20 points again, they’ll win by at least a touchdown.
Under 40 (-110)
Even with Tampa’s dangerous offense, this total is a bit too high. The Broncos themselves will struggle to score more than 10, which would leave Tampa to score 30 themselves, which is unlikely against a solid Broncos defense. Even if Denver gets to 13/14 points, Tampa would need 27 points to go over this total. This number is too high with two formidable defenses facing off.
Broncos vs Buccaneers Prop Bets
Bo Nix Under 30.5 Longest Pass Completion (-115)
This is a line that Nix is under in 2/2 games. Against Seattle, his longest completion was 25 yards. Against Pittsburgh, his longest completion was 27 yards. Nix is averaging just 5 yards per completion through his first two starts. Nix has seen the most success with his legs, and it is likely we see him run more often on Sunday. Denver doesn’t have any standout receivers or big play makers. Nix struggled in the air against Pittsburgh and Seattle, and Tampa Bay will pose a similar challenge on Sunday. Look for Nix to continue to take check downs and use his legs.
Baker Mayfield Over 1.5 Passing Touchdowns (-130)
Tampa Bay is currently -130 to score over 2.5 touchdowns on Sunday. Given the inconsistency in the Buccaneers backfield, this line has value. If Tampa Bay does get 3 touchdowns, in all likelihood Mayfield will throw two of those. Running back Rachaad White has looked awful through two games, averaging 2 yards per carry and no rushing touchdowns. Backup running back Bucky Irving has looked better than White, but he also has no rushing touchdowns. It is no secret that the Bucs are a pass first team. Given the lack of success from Tampa’s running backs, this will continue on Sunday, including in the red zone.
