The Broncos Should Be Favoured Against Tampa

[CanDB]

I looked at some of the stats, and even though we have a tough opponent on Sunday, we should definitely be favoured. And I say by 5-6 points.

We are a very balanced team, and are 3rd in scoring on O, and 8th in scoring against.....and 4th in both Total O and Total D.....that's balance!! They on the other hand, are 12th and 30th respectively in total stats (although they score more effectively than their total stats, with 4th in O and 20th in scoring against).

Our pass game is the big advantage against TB, as we are 6th and they are last in defending the pass. We are #1 in sacks whereas they are 28th in that category.

On the other hand, they do have a better run game overall, as they are 10th (thanks to Martin) while we are 20th. And on D they are 1st against the rush, while we are a decent 9th.

And in terms of QBs, we have the edge for sure, but Freeman is a quality leader. He is big and has a decent passer rating at 94.3.

Overall......I would definitely take The Broncos.....especially at home. But we need to manage Martin. If so, our pass game and balance will be too much for them.

[dandaman23]

Tampa Bay

I don't know much about the Bucs, but I was just looking at their team stats for the year so far, and noticed they have the worse pass defense in the NFL, but the best rush defense in the NFL. Their offense hasn't been great, but hasn't been bad either. I think if we are able to stop their running game we should be able to come out with a win, especially being at home. We are due for a great game after seeming pretty flat for the past few weeks. What is everyone's thoughts on the upcoming game?

[InElwayWeTrust]

Opening line out here is -7 or -6.5 depending on what casino you go to.

[DenverBlood]

ESPN is showing us favored by 7 as it should be at home.

I'm a little nervous about this one because they have been playing better but I think we should handle them at home.

They will really have trouble defending the pass as you stated and I think Manning is the best and taking long time consuming drives. The longer he stays on the field the more rested the d is and won't have to do much to stop TB.

Get them behind early and I can see us teeing off on Freeman and really giving them a bad day.

[dandaman23]

I looked at some of the stats, and even though we have a tough opponent on Sunday, we should definitely be favoured. And I say by 5-6 points.

We are a very balanced team, and are 3rd in scoring on O, and 8th in scoring against.....and 4th in both Total O and Total D.....that's balance!! They on the other hand, are 12th and 30th respectively in total stats (although they score more effectively than their total stats, with 4th in O and 20th in scoring against).

Our pass game is the big advantage against TB, as we are 6th and they are last in defending the pass. We are #1 in sacks whereas they are 28th in that category.

On the other hand, they do have a better run game overall, as they are 10th (thanks to Martin) while we are 20th. And on D they are 1st against the rush, while we are a decent 9th.

And in terms of QBs, we have the edge for sure, but Freeman is a quality leader. He is big and has a decent passer rating at 94.3.

Overall......I would definitely take The Broncos.....especially at home. But we need to manage Martin. If so, our pass game and balance will be too much for them.

Just posted pretty much the same thing. If we are able to contain Martin, we should have no problem has long as we limit the turnovers and mistakes.

I was just on the message board, and the majority of their fans don't seem to confident.

[Jermz79]

I live in Tampa and I was at the game this past Sunday vs. Atlanta.

They played tough ball, but gave up a lot of big plays in the middle of the field and down the edge outside the numbers. Our WR will win battles with their CB's no doubt ... but we need to establish the run game early, Atlanta did just that and then came back with a huge PA Pass down the edge to Julio Jones and it went for 80 yards and a TD.

Tampa just lost their "best" CB, to a 4 game PED suspension, so their already suspect pass defense just got worse!

On Defense I think we have to play them a lot like we played Carolina, we HAVE to contain Martin for sure and we need Miller and Dumervil to get pressure on Freeman fast and not allow him time and he will crumble. We should have no problem containing VJackson and Tampa Mike Williams with our corners as long as our safety's stay on point and don't bite on Martin and the PA Pass.

pretty much general knowledge really but living in Tampa, there is NOOOO reason we should lose this game!!

[Den615]

They are a very solid team...no doubt about it. Martin will be very hard to stop, and Mike Williams and Vincent Jackson are legitimate threats at WR so we cant always load the box. Freeman is quietly having a very solid year. Ultimately I think we beat Tampa in the turnover category and pull out a W.

I'll say 31-20 Denver.

[Uglybass]

The Bucs are pretty good. Their offense can be pretty stellar at times, but their defense is very meh. Denver has been slashed up pretty bad by some good RBs, and Doug Martin is as good as any RB we've faced so far. Josh Freeman and their WRs are pretty good too, but they strive off the run game. If they can't run and he is getting beat up by the pass rush all game then the Broncos will be in good shape. If Doug Martin has his way, then we better hope the Broncos offense can keep up the pace.

They aren't nearly as good as the Texans or Patriots, but proved they can keep up with the Falcons, Though the Falcons came out on top in the end. I think the Broncos can win this game though for sure.

[chad72]

Just keep an eye on Dallas Clark, he might do a bit of damage down the seams.

[Jermz79]

I just posted in the other Tampa thread too ...

the one thing to mention here though is ... Tampa just lost their "best" CB to a 4 game PED suspension, so their already horrid Pass D just got a little worse.

I was at their game this past sunday and there is no reason why we should not win this game!

[ERoyal248]

They have a good rushing attack lead by Martin, a solid OL, and capable weapons with VJ, Mike Williams, Clark, among some others. And Freeman has had a nice bounce-back season.

They do have a good rush-D it looks like but as others have said, they give up big plays in the passing game. Thankfully this one is at home which should help in the thin air.

[Turf Nazi]

Schiano has Tampa playing "never say die" football. Denver will need to score early and often on them. I think we got them by at least 7 and would not be surprised we put up 40 points on them. TB may put up 30 however.

[Sam_Z]

Broncos offense have been pretty flat due to dropped passes and turn overs, we need to correct this issue before its cost us our season in the playoffs.

Tampa Bay doesn't look bad on offense especially running the ball and if they start scoring (which is unlikely against our D) bt it could happen and if it does it might turn out to be a very long day.
Had the chiefs been just wee bit better on offense we may be singing the blues right now.
But this turning over the ball twice a game has got to stop it is a big problem that needs to be corrected and corrected soon. I remember reading that whenever a player fumbled the football during Mike Shanahan tenure he would have the whole team running laps on monday including John Elway.

Not so sure about Elway running laps but anyway could it be that John Fox is to easy on the boys. Ive never seen the Broncos fumble or lose the ball this much in a single season and if not for Manning we'd be in the same situation as the rest of the west right now fighting for our football lives.

[chad72]

TB is not putting up 30 points on Denver, book it!!!

Broncos 27 Bucs 20 will be the kind of game the Broncos will win, and maybe a defensive TD can seal it to make it 34-20. There will then be more complaints about the offense after a hard fought win, as to why your offense is not crushing the Bucs, LOL!!!

I know the feeling, I had been a spoiled Peyton fan for long!!!

[Broncos-R-Great]

Broncos offense have been pretty flat due to dropped passes and turn overs, we need to correct this issue before its cost us our season in the playoffs.

Tampa Bay doesn't look bad on offense especially running the ball and if they start scoring (which is unlikely against our D) bt it could happen and if it does it might turn out to be a very long day.
Had the chiefs been just wee bit better on offense we may be singing the blues right now.
But this turning over the ball twice a game has got to stop it is a big problem that needs to be corrected and corrected soon. I remember reading that whenever a player fumbled the football during Mike Shanahan tenure he would have the whole team running laps on monday including John Elway.

Not so sure about Elway running laps but anyway could it be that John Fox is to easy on the boys. Ive never seen the Broncos fumble or lose the ball this much in a single season and if not for Manning we'd be in the same situation as the rest of the west right now fighting for our football lives.

Well, we only turned the ball over once yesterday, so that's an improvement