Tampa Bay v. Denver

by John Michael

Heartbreak. Last week was a huge letdown for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After being the victors for four weeks, the Bucs faced the team with the best record in the NFC - the Atlanta Falcons. The Bucs failed to make a strong statement for the playoffs, unable to capitalize on numerous opportunities losing a close battle to the Falcons 24-23. But the Bucs aren't out of the hunt yet. Last week's loss dropped the Bucs down to a 6-5 record, still in contention for the final wildcard spot with the Seattle Seahawks, the Minnesota Vikings, and several other teams right behind them. With five games including today left to go in the season, this leaves little room for error for this young Buccaneers squad. And it does not get any easier today.

Also, former league MVP, Super Bowl Champion, Secretary of
Treasury, Backstreet Boy member, volunteer firefighter, etc.

Today, the Bucs go on the road to face one of the toughest teams in the league, the Denver Broncos (8-3). Led by former Indianapolis Colts quarterback, Peyton Manning, the Broncos have emerged as a possible contender to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. The Broncos rank fourth in the entire league in Offense and Defense, and fifth in passing yards per game with an average of 287.5. The Broncos defense ranks fifth and ninth in passing yards allowed and rushing yards allowed, respectively.  If the Bucs want to rebound after last week's heartbreaker, they'll have to earn it the hard way.

"You kids and your newfangled drugs..."

The Bucs didn't make things any easier for them this past week either. Already ranked dead last in the league in passing yards allowed, Tampa Bay lost one of their starting cornerbacks. Offseason free agent acquisition Eric Wright, following in the footsteps of another cornerback on the Bucs roster earlier this year, was suspended for the next four games for testing positive for Adderall without a prescription. This loss is a huge blow to the already struggling Buccaneers secondary. It will take a monumental effort to hold off Manning today in Denver. But this Buccaneers team has shown in recent weeks that it can hang with the best the NFL has to offer. Here's how the Bucs can pull out a victory today and stay at the front of the pack for the last playoff spot.


Keys to Victory

Here's hoping those weekly chats with Warren Sapp
start paying off.

Get to Peyton Manning. Manning will be throwing the ball a lot today. And who can blame him? Denver is a pass happy team, and Tampa Bay has yet to prove that it can stop the pass. And with the Bucs secondary starting two backups at the corners, you can bet that passing is a huge part of Denver's gameplan today. The secondary will need a lot of help from up front. It's up to Gerald McCoy, Michael Bennett, and the rest of the front seven to put significant pressure on Manning, forcing him into making mistakes. Allowing Manning time in the pocket to find Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker will be disastrous for Tampa Bay.

Please, Josh. Please.

Josh Freeman. This is the type of game where Freeman's skill set will be the most important item for the Bucs to leave the field with a "W". Freeman has shown that this offense is capable of having huge days when he is locked in with his top receivers, Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams. Doug Martin may find his role reduced to pass blocking and receiving in the flats if this game turns into a shootout with Peyton Manning. Every time Manning finds a way to put points on the board, Freeman must find a way to answer. Unfortunately for Freeman, he will have to do it against one of the top passing defenses in the league.

No, I'm not proud of highlighting a former 'Nole on this
blog. But sometimes it has to be done.

Special Teams. If this game turns into a shootout, the difference maker between winning and losing falls on the special teams. Connor Barth has been reliable this season, hitting 80% of his field goal attempts and being perfect on extra point attempt, and Michael Koenen has been successful in the punting game averaging about 45 yards per punt. These will all come in handy in the ever important battle over field position. Dekoda Watson will be needed as well. Named the NFC Special Teams player for the month of November, Watson blocked a punt and recovered a fumble on special teams. It will be hard for the Bucs to find turnovers against Peyton Manning, so forcing them in the special teams game will be crucial.

This game is probably the worst case scenario for a team looking to rebound after a close loss to a divisional opponent. Especially if that team has the worst passing defense in the NFL. While I want to be optimistic and point out the talent that the Buccaneers have, I can't point out one matchup where the Buccaneers have a distinct advantage. I believe that the Bucs have too much talent to not have any hope, but Manning and the Broncos prove that they are a force to be reckoned with in the AFC and pull away in the 2nd half to drop the Bucs back down to .500 and dimmer playoff hopes.


John Michael's prediction:

Tampa Bay loses 38 - 28