TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos takes the field prior to a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
The Denver Broncos got their first win of the season with a dominant 26-7 win over the Buccaneers. Below is the recap and postgame interviews
Broncos won the coin toss and elected to receive the kickoff so we saw Bo Nix in his 3rd NFL start to begin the game.
On the first play of the game, Nix hit Courtland Sutton on a back shoulder 22 yard catch and the Broncos were quickly to midfield. Two plays later, Nix found Josh Reynolds running wide open down the right sideline for a 31 yard gain putting the Broncos down at the 11 yard line! On 3rd and 2, Bo Nix scrambled for a 3 yard touchdown to give the Broncos an early 7-0 lead with 11:05 remaining in the 1st quarter.
The Buccaneers offense, lead by Baker Mayfield went to work in an early deficit but the Broncos defense quickly forced a 3 and out and, after a good return by Marvin Mims for 27 yards, Denver's offense went back to work from their 33 yard line.
Javonte Williams got the handoff on 1st down and managed to gain 3 yards after a couple of broken tackles. Troy Franklin got his first NFL reception but it only went for 2 yards so, on 3rd and 5, Bo Nix and Lil'Jordan Humphrey were unable to hook up on a quick pass and the Broncos were forced to punt the ball back to Tampa Bay.
Starting from their own 13 yard line, Baker and the Bucs offense went back on the field and they finally got their first 1st down of the game after a handoff to Rachaad White went for 5 yards after a Chris Godwin catch. A couple of plays later, Mayfield took a deep shot down the right sideline and Brandon Jones intercepted it and returned it to the Bucs 8 yard line!
A few plays later on 4th and inches, Bo Nix pitched it to Jaleel McLaughlin and he scampered into the right side of the end zone to give the Broncos a 14-0 lead with 2:56 remaining in the 1st quarter. Bo Nix hit Courtland Sutton for 17 yards and the Broncos offense was once again marching into Bucs territory. A Garrett Bolles hold and a Ben Powers block in the back stalled the drive but the Broncos still managed to convert a 43 yard field goal, going up 3 scores 17-0 with 9:25 remaining in the 1st half.
Now in a 3 score hole, Mayfield and the Bucs offense went back to work and Bucky Irving got the first handoff of the drive for minimal gain. Baker finally got Mike Evans and Chris Godwin involved in the game and they got a 1st down to near midfield. On 4th-and-2, Mayfield's pass to Chris Godwin fell incomplete on a slant pattern and the Broncos offense got the ball back at their 45 yard line with 6:04 remaining in the 1st half.
The Broncos looked like they were heading for more points but Javonte Williams fumbled the ball at Bucs 40 yard line and gave Tampa Bay some life. Bucky Irving took the handoff for a huge gain of 32 yards and suddenly the Bucs were threatening. A few plays later, Mayfield hit Chris Godwin on a fade to the left side and the Bucs get on the board and cut the lead 17-7 with 1:50 remaining in the first half.
Bo Nix got off to a quick start with the quick passing game hitting Sutton and Trautman for gains into Buccaneers territory all the way down to the Tampa Bay 20 yard line. Wil Lutz converted the 38 yard field goal and the Broncos extended the lead 20-7 with 2 seconds remaining in the first half.
Tampa Bay got the ball start the 2nd half and the Bucs were quickly into Denver territory after completions to Godwin and Otton. On 1st and 10 at the Broncos 44 yard line, John Franklin Meyers got his first sack in a Broncos uniform as won his matchup vs Cody Mauch, knocking the Bucs back into their own territory. A couple plays later, Tampa Bay was forced to punt it back to Denver who would start their next drive from their own 9 yard line with a 13 point lead. 12:07 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
The Broncos offense wasn't able to do much, gaining only 3 yards, and punted it quickly back to Tampa Bay who would take over at their own 41 yard line with 11:11 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
Once again, Tampa Bay was quickly into Denver territory but the Broncos defense continued to pressure Baker Mayfield and sacked him for the 3rd time today, effectively ending the Bucs drive. After a 47 yard punt, the Broncos went back to work on offense from their own 6 yard line with 7:49 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
The Broncos offense did a masterful job milking the clock, taking 7:57 off the clock on FIFTEEN play drive. They settled for a 33 yard field goal but ultimately, the 16 point lead early in the 4th quarter was massive.
Bucs offense back to work and started working with the rhythm passing game but the Broncos didn't break and, on 4th and 3 from the Denver 25 yard line, Nik Bonitto came up with a huge stop and gave the ball back to the offense.
On the first play of the next drive, Tyler Badie took a handoff up the middle for a massive 44 yard gallop into Buccaneers territory. Denver would settle for another field goal but it was huge because it gave the Broncos a 3-score lead.
The Buccaneers took the field trying to get some semblance of a push back but, as the Bucs got into Denver territory after a couple of big penalties against PJ Locke and on 3rd down, Mayfield completed a pass to Cade Otton who got popped by Riley Moss, jarring the ball loose, and Brandon Jones ran up the sideline for 34 yards.
Broncos were able to milk most of the clock and eventually won their first game of the season 26-7!
Our next broadcast will be next Sunday, September 29th as the Broncos are in New York to face the Jets. Coverage begins at 7am on KOA.
Below are postgame interviews with Sean Payton, Bo Nix, Jonathon Cooper and Zach Allen