Here at Bucs Wire, we usually recap the team’s game that week, but the Bucs’ performance against the Broncos has made us change our approach. For one week only, we will keep this recap and grading system simple.
Why? Because giving everyone a low grade and talking down about them after a dud performance doesn’t do anyone any good.
For nearly everyone on this team, it will be a performance that serves as a blip on the radar. Baker Mayfield, especially, will look back on this and think, “What happened?” From the first possession, Mayfield expected this to be a walk in the park, and the Broncos came out of the gates ready to prove something. They pressured him non-stop as the Lions did, but they never let their foot off the gas.
As a result, Baker Mayfield had one of the worst days of his career.
The rest of the team performed similarly, but the defense looked lost against rookie Bo Nix. The former Oregon quarterback has had his detractors in the draft and NFL community, but he played winning football against a tough defense. The Bucs couldn’t even contain him whenever he decided to run the ball.
The defense also couldn’t find a rhythm on Sunday. Sunday as a whole was a broken dance class of sorts, but now it is on Todd Bowles to rally his team and get them ready for the Eagles in Week 4.