What are the key matchups between the Denver Broncos and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Since week one versus the Tennesse Titans, I took a look at two critical individual matchups the Broncos needed to win to come out of each game with a victory. So far, the Broncos have come up short on each of the matchups. Throughout the season, I’ll break down two key individual matchups each week that is critical to a Broncos win.
This week, the Denver Broncos face off with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home in front of 5,700 fans. The Bucs, coming off a win on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, seem to be back on track after being beaten badly by a good New Orleans Saints team.
Quarterback Tom Brady was okay in week two, and the Bucs defense looks immensely improved.
With quarterback Drew Lock and wide receiver Courtland Sutton lost for this game (Sutton for the season), things look like doom and gloom in Broncos Country.
However, this game is much more winnable for the Denver Broncos than anyone would have you believe.
The Broncos will be without running back Phillip Lindsay again this week but running back Melvin Gordon looked excellent as the primary runner. Surprisingly enough, the offense looked competent with Jeff Driskel against, if not the best, one of the best defenses in the NFL.
This week I will present two critical matchups for the Broncos, one key matchup on offense, and one key matchup for the defense against the Buccaneers.
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.
Matchup 2: Vic Fangio vs. Bruce Arians
Bruce Arians has seen offensive success follow him wherever he goes. From Ben Roethlisberger to Andrew Luck, to Carson Palmer, and now Tom Brady. The Brady and Arians marriage has yet to strike gold and to be honest, and it might not.
The two were always a formidable pairing considering their likes. Ariens is a vertical play-caller while Brady enjoys the short-to-intermittent passing game.
Vic Fangio has and will continue to be considered a top defensive mind in football. His defenses routinely sit in the top ten of the NFL rankings, including last year’s team.
Vic is a master at disguising coverages and maximizing opportunities to take the ball away on defense. That part of his impact has yet to be felt by this Broncos team as they continue to lack game-changing turnovers.
So, how can the Broncos create turnovers, which they will need to for a win?
First, stop the run. Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette are both good NFL running backs, and if the Bucs can gain traction on the ground, the Broncos will be in for a long day.
Fangio must ensure the defense plays the run first and responds to the pass.
What, against a Tom Brady team?
Yes.
Tom Brady isn’t the Tom Brady NFL fans are used to. The Broncos can attack this team if they can get Brady in 3rd-down and long situations.
Once those 3rd and long situations occur, Fangio needs to get Bradley Chubb singled up against the Bucs left tackle Donovan Smith. Usually, a strong player, Smith, has been a liability this season.
The Broncos can get Brady uncomfortable even without sacks if they can get him moving off his spot. Once that happens, Brady will run (which he is not adept at doing) or force throws with an inadequate arm.
If the Broncos win the play-calling matchups, I can see Denver surprising the NFL with a win on Sunday.