Broncos 2020 schedule: 8 games that could be really tough

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders congratulates quarterback Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos after the game at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 16-15. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders congratulates quarterback Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos after the game at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 16-15. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
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Shaquil Barrett
TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 22: Shaquil Barrett #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after a sack against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Week 3- Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Empower Field

For the first time ever, the Denver Broncos will meet Tom Brady, not as a New England Patriot.

Tom Brady will be under center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, an acquisition in a blockbuster offseason for the Bucs that would result in Tampa Bay trading for TE Rob Gronkowski to pair up with his longtime teammate and friend in Brady.

Brady did not have many weapons in 2019, and now has one of the best in wide receiver Mike Evans.

Although a non-conference game, this one will be memorable for Denver and Brady both–this is likely the last time the Denver Broncos will play Tom Brady in his career, and the Broncos’ defense, led by ultimate “Brady killer” Von Miller, will be eager to make his last game in Denver a rough one.

The biggest implications of this game will be moral victories. A win likely means that Brady will retire with Denver as his only losing record. However, on the opposite spectrum, Mike Evans will likely be a nightmare for Denver’s secondary, and for the first time, the Broncos will meet their old teammate, Shaq Barrett.

In his first season with the Bucs, Barrett went from a bench player in Denver to the 2019 NFL sack leader, capping the season with 19.5. Barrett will likely come into this game with a bit of a chip on his shoulder and to make his former team feel a bit of regret they let him go.

Schedule