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Denver Broncos: Key Matchups vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

By Nicholas Manning

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 20: Head coach Vic Fangio of the Denver Broncos looks on during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelersat Heinz Field on September 20, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 20: Head coach Vic Fangio of the Denver Broncos looks on during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelersat Heinz Field on September 20, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos, Pat Shurmur
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 14: Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur works on the sideline during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Empower Field at Mile High on September 14, 2020, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Key Matchup 1: Pat Shurmur vs. Todd Bowles

Todd Bowles is an established defensive mind in the NFL. Bowles has called some of the best and aggressive defenses in football over the last decade.

Bowles calls a pressure nickel concept with an aggressive 3-4 defense background. Bowles calls blitzes the majority of the time and enjoys mixing the pressure calls.

With young stud linebackers Levonte David and Devin White, Tampa can utilize each player in space to maximize their looks both upfront and in the defensive backfield. Meaning, with two three-down linebackers, Bowles has the luxury to run various defenses because he can match up in both the run and pass regardless of the offense’s personnel.

Bowles’ weakness on defense may be in the secondary, even though there is talent back there. The Bucs sport a group of young defensive backs who are still learning to play with one another.

The year 2020 brought the Broncos Pat Shurmur. Even though the offense’s numbers are not overly impressive, his game-calling has been. Shurmur has consistently put his team in an excellent position with the game while maximizing the talent of his young playmakers.

Shurmur has adapted to loss after loss on offense and had the Broncos in a position to win against two of the NFL’s better teams.

This week, Shurmur will have to utilize some of the same concepts he did against a tough Pittsburgh Steelers team with Driskel starting the entire game.

The Bucs will bring some of the same pressure looks as the Steelers did but don’t have the same personnel to execute their gameplan.

The Broncos can again look for key matchups with Noah Fant, Jerry Jeudy (assuming he plays), and the surprising K.J. Hamler. The Broncos have the talent, and Driskel needs to be accurate in getting his playmakers the ball.

Look for Shurmur to attack the young secondary with Jeudy and Fant in the middle of the field and get a big play or two over the top with Hamler.

Gordon should see the bulk of the rushing attempts while also seeing a few screes to keep a formidable Bux pass rush honest.

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