Bucs-Broncos: Something's Gotta Give

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will travel to the Mile High City to take on the Denver Broncos Sunday at 4:05 EST.

The Bucs (3-1) come into the game having beaten the Packers at home 30-21 last week.  They've also won against the Falcons at Raymond James and against the Bears on the road.  Their only loss has been a 24-20 defeat at the hands of the New Orleans Saints in the first game of the season.

The Broncos (3-1) enter the game after suffering a humiliating road loss—their first loss of the year—to the Chiefs last week.  On the other hand, they blew out the Raiders and edged San Diego and New Orleans.   

This game is an ultimate battle of offense vs. defense.

The Broncos have the highest-flying offense in the NFL, largely due to their passing game.  Denver averages 435.5 yards per game—314.2 of those yards are gained in the air.

The Buccaneers' defense isn't great when it comes to yards allowed, but in their particular case, that's not the end of the world because they thrive on takeaways.  The Tampa pass defense has intercepted eight passes, tied for the league lead with the Packers and Titans.

But the question is: Have the Bucs been picking off all these passes because of the lowly decision-making of the quarterbacks they've played against, or is there really that much talent in this group?

We should find out come Sunday afternoon—the Bucs are facing the best quarterback they've seen all year—Jay Cutler.  If the Bucs want to compete with the Broncos, they have to force lots of turnovers and keep that dynamic Denver offense off the field.  But that isn't likely because Cutler has only thrown four interceptions in the middle of a league-high 157 passes this year.   

The battle between the Tampa offense and the Denver defense isn't as easily predicted.

Brian Griese worked wonders in his '08 debut against the Bears a couple weeks ago, but last week against the Packers he sunk big time.  Will he show up?  I'm guessing he will just because Denver's pass defense (ranked 31st in the NFL) is closer to the Bears' caliber than the dynamite Packers pass "D".

Tampa's receivers will only be as good as Griese.  None of them have produced exceptionally well this year, and I find myself wondering how their offense manages to average 361 yards per game.  But in spite of their lack of talent, at least a couple of 'em will likely do fine because Griese is capable of shredding the Broncos' pass defense.

Earnest Graham will have the best game he'll have all season. 

Larry Johnson exposed the Broncos' rush defense's tackling issues, and Earnest Graham, at 5'9" and 225 pounds, is close to Johnson's size (6'1" and 230 pounds), meaning he will put the Broncos at the same disadvantages they dealt with as they tried in vain to bring Johnson down last week.

Warrick Dunn is also likely to have a field day as Graham's elusive, speedy complement.

This game is very close to call; almost too close to call—lots of unpredictable elements are involved.  But I'm gonna go with the Broncos because I want them to win (the Bucs are a division rival of my Panthers) and also I think that Cutler will limit the turnovers.