Broncos-Buccaneers: Denver Prevails in Defensive Battle

Denver, CO—The Denver Broncos pulled off an impressive victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon. 

The Broncos (4-1) had been all but written off defensively, while the Bucs (3-2) have been one of the best in the business as usual. Both teams played the field-position game all afternoon long, but the Broncos sacked Tampa Bay's quarterbacks a combined three times and picked off a Jeff Garcia pass late in the game.

Denver quarterback Jay Cutler didn't throw all over the Bucs by any means, as they were the first team to hold him under 300 yards this season, but Denver was able to put together a third-quarter touchdown drive, capped off with a 10-yard strike from Cutler to veteran slot receiver Brandon Stokley. 

Tampa Bay quarterback Brian Griese was injured on a play in which he was hit hard by Denver cornerback Champ Bailey. He was replaced by Jeff Garcia, who threw the lone touchdown pass to Ike Hilliard with just under two minutes remaining in the game.

Matt Prater connected on 3-of-3 field-goal attempts to give the Broncos a 10-point lead until the Hilliard score. 

Denver's offensive line continued its dominance of opposing defensive lines, not giving up a sack yet again. 

Denver has been bitten by the injury bug, however. Eddie Royal sprained his ankle, and Tony Scheffler, Ebenezer Ekuban, and Selvin Young all left the game with strained groins. Royal figures to miss one or two games, and Scheffler may be able to play again against the Patriots with a long week following the Jacksonville game.

More injury updates will be provided by Head Coach Mike Shanahan in Monday's press conference.

The injuries to Royal and Scheffler are bittersweet, and veteran wideout Darrell Jackson is scheduled to return to action this week. Nate Jackson will take over for Scheffler, and Denver could look to add some depth during the week. 

Denver improves to 4-1 on the season and is set to face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars next Sunday at Invesco Field at Mile High. 

With the defense seeming to click, the Broncos and Jaguars game will be a great one.  Look for predictions, previews, injury updates, and another edition of "Getting to Know..." later this week.