Broncos upset Bucs with impressive 26-7 win in Week 3

What an impressive 26-7 victory for the Broncos over the Buccaneers!

The Denver Broncos (1-2) went on the road and upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) 26-7 in Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season.

“It’s a good win — a good road win — against a good team,” coach Sean Payton said after the game. “I credit the players. I thought we played well in the front on both sides of the ball. [When you look] at certain statistics, [like] the pressures, the turnovers, the rushing, and then third downs — all of those kind tipped in our favor. Credit the players, though, the leadership. We had a good week of practice. We came in with the right frame of mind. It wasn’t our best game but certainly it was good enough today.”

The offense started off hot with a six-play, 70-yard drive that ended with quarterback Bo Nix’s three-yard touchdown run to take a 7-0 lead. Nix was a perfect 4-of-4 for 70 yards on the team’s opening drive.

Later in the first quarter, safety Brandon Jones intercepted a Baker Mayfield pass and set Denver’s offense up with good field position at the nine-yard line. A few plays later, running back Jaleel McLaughlin made a man miss on fourth down to score from one yard out and make it 14-0.

Wil Lutz kicked a 43-yard field goal midway through the second quarter to extend the lead to 17-0. On their ensuing drive, the Bucs turned the ball over on downs at Denver’s 45-yard line.

The Broncos squandered that opportunity as running back Javonte Wiliams gave the ball right back to Tampa Bay with a fumble. Mayfield capitalized on that fumble by later throwing a six-yard touchdown pass to Chris Godwin that cut the deficit to 17-7.

Denver then got the ball back at its own 30-yard line with 1:39 remaining in the second quarter and Nix led a nine-play, 50-yard drive that set up a 38-yard Lutz field goal to make it 20-7 going into halftime.

After a scoreless third quarter, Lutz kicked a 33-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 23-7. After the defense forced a turnover on downs and running back Tyler Badie ripped off a 43-yard run, Lutz added a 43-yard field goal to make it 26-7.

After the defense forced and recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter, the Broncos secured a 26-7 victory. The defense finished the game with seven sacks and two takeaways.

Following Sunday’s game in Florida, Denver will practice in West Virginia this week ahead of a road game against the New York Jets (2-1) in Week 4.

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WATCH: Broncos defense forces another takeaway vs. Bucs

Another big play from the Broncos’ defense!

Denver Broncos cornerbacks Riley Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian teamed up to force a fumble in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Safety Brandon Jones recovered the ball and returned it 34 yards.

Here’s video of the play, courtesy of the team’s official Twitter/X page:

Denver’s defense has seven sacks, one interception and one forced fumble recovery so far today. The Broncos lead 26-7 in the fourth quarter.

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WATCH: Broncos score TD after Brandon Jones intercepts Baker Mayfield pass

What a great play by Broncos safety Brandon Jones!

Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones intercepted a Baker Mayfield pass intended for Mike Evans on Sunday afternoon.

Here’s video of the play, courtesy of team’s official Twitter/X page:

Following that turnover, the Broncos scored on an impressive one-yard Jaleel McLaughlin touchdown run:

At the time of publication, Denver now leads 14-0 in the first quarter.

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Broncos injury news: Baron Browning ruled out for Week 3

Broncos OLB Baron Browning (foot) and DB JL Skinner (ankle) have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers.

The Denver Broncos have ruled out outside linebacker Baron Browning (foot) for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he missed all three days of practice this week.

Jonah Elliss and Nik Bonitto are the next men up at pass rusher following Browning’s injury. One of them will start across from Jonathon Cooper in Week 3, and Dondrea Tillman was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster this week to provide more depth at the position.

Elsewhere on the injury front, safety JL Skinner (ankle) has also been ruled out. Keidron Smith could be the next man up to replace Skinner on special teams.

Meanwhile, safety Brandon Jones (foot) and defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (concussion) have been cleared to play.

View the team’s final injury report below.

Denver Broncos injury report

Player Injury Wed Thur Fri Game Status
OLB Baron Browning Foot DNP DNP DNP Out
DB JL Skinner Ankle DNP DNP DNP Out
DE John Franklin-Meyers Concussion DNP Limited Full
DB Brandon Jones Foot DNP Limited Full
DE Zach Allen Shoulder Limited Full Full
TE Greg Dulcich Knee/Ankle Limited Full Full
WR Josh Reynolds Achilles Limited Full Full
TE Adam Trautman Shoulder Limited Full Full
WR Devaughn Vele Ribs Limited Full Full

Denver also placed right tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee) on injured reserve on Wednesday, ruling him out for at least four games.

The Broncos’ game against the Buccaneers will be regionally televised on Fox. Denver is considered a road underdog in Week 3.

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Broncos injuries: Baron Browning trending toward not playing

Broncos OLB Baron Browning (foot) missed practice again on Thursday, putting his status in doubt for Sunday’s game against the Bucs.

Denver Broncos outside linebacker Baron Browning (foot) did not practice again on Thursday after previously missing Wednesday’s session. The 25-year-old pass rusher appears to be trending toward not playing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3.

Denver added more depth at outside linebacker this week by promoting Dondrea Tillman to the active roster and signing Andrew Farmer to the practice squad, perhaps early signs that Browning’s status was in doubt.

Elsewhere on the injury front, safety JL Skinner (ankle) was also held out Thursday while safety Brandon Jones (foot) and defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (concussion) returned on a limited basis.

View the team’s complete Thursday injury report below.

Denver Broncos injury report

Player Injury Wed Thur Fri Game Status
OLB Baron Browning Foot DNP DNP
DE John Franklin-Meyers Concussion DNP Limited
DB Brandon Jones Foot DNP Limited
DB JL Skinner Ankle DNP DNP
DE Zach Allen Shoulder Limited FUll
TE Greg Dulcich Knee/Ankle Limited Full
WR Josh Reynolds Achilles Limited Full
TE Adam Trautman Shoulder Limited Full
WR Devaughn Vele Ribs Limited Full

Denver also placed right tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee) on injured reserve on Wednesday, ruling him out for at least four games.

The Broncos will practice again on Friday before releasing a final injury report with game statuses for Sunday’s game against the Bucs.

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Broncos injuries: Baron Browning did not practice Wednesday

Broncos OLB Baron Browning (foot) did not practice Wednesday, and the team added depth at his position this week.

Denver Broncos outside linebacker Baron Browning (foot) was among four players held out of Wednesday’s practice.

Also sidelined were safety Brandon Jones (foot), defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (concussion) and safety JL Skinner (ankle).

Franklin-Myers has a “50-50” chance of playing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week after suffering a “mild concussion” in Week 2, according to the Denver Gazette‘s Chris Tomasson. Eyioma Uwazurike is listed behind JFM on the depth chart, but Jordan Jackson and Malcolm Roach would be more likely candidates to fill in if needed.

The Broncos promoted outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman to the active roster and signed Andrew Farmer to the practice squad on Wednesday, moves that might signal Browning’s status for Week 3 is in doubt.

View the team’s complete Wednesday injury report below.

Player Injury Wed Thur Fri Game Status
OLB Baron Browning Foot DNP
DE John Franklin-Meyers Concussion DNP
DB Brandon Jones Foot DNP
DB JL Skinner Ankle DNP
DE Zach Allen Shoulder Limited
TE Greg Dulcich Knee/Ankle Limited
WR Josh Reynolds Achilles Limited
TE Adam Trautman Shoulder Limited
WR Devaughn Vele Ribs Limited

Denver also placed right tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee) on injured reserve on Wednesday, ruling him out for at least four games.

The Broncos will practice again on Thursday and Friday before releasing a final injury report with game statuses for Sunday’s game against the Bucs.

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NFL fines 2 Broncos players for Week 1 offenses

Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto was fined $8,791 for roughing the passer and DB Brandon Jones was fined $11,255 for unnecessary roughness in Week 1.

The NFL has fined a pair of Denver Broncos defenders following offenses committed in the team’s season opener against the Seattle Seahawks.

Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto was fined $8,791 for a roughing the passer penalty against Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith in the first quarter, according to The Denver Post‘s Parker Gabriel.

Denver safety Brandon Jones was also fined $11,255 for unnecessary roughness after he knocked off the helmet of Seattle wide receiver Jake Bobo in the fourth quarter.

https://twitter.com/mookiealexander/status/1835067710121951296

These mark the Broncos’ first fines of the 2024 season. Last year, former Denver safety Kareem Jackson was the team’s most-fined player. Jackson’s fines and suspensions cost him more than $648,558 in 2023.

After last week’s 26-20 loss in Seattle, the Broncos are preparing to host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2. Denver’s game against the Steelers will be regionally televised on CBS and available to stream on fuboTV (try it free) for in-market fans at 2:25 p.m. MT. The Broncos are considered betting underdogs despite playing at home.

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10 things to watch for when Broncos face Seahawks in Week 1

Bo Nix will make his first NFL start against the Seahawks on Sunday. Here are 10 things to watch for when the Broncos travel to Seattle.

The Denver Broncos are set to go on the road to face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. Going into the weekend, here’s a quick look at ten things to watch for on Sunday.

1. NFL’s new kickoff format: The league has switched to a new XFL-style kickoff format this year and the Broncos believe they will benefit from it. We’ll see if Marvin Mims can take advantage of more opportunities to return.

2. Season-opening roster construction: Denver can elevate two players from the practice squad to the game-day roster each week. It seems like a fairly safe guess that wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey and fullback Michael Burton will be the top candidates to be elevated in Week 1. That could lead to rookie Troy Franklin being a healthy scratch.

3. Luke Wattenberg at center: After losing Lloyd Cushenberry during free agency, the Broncos have replaced him in the starting lineup with Wattenberg. The four other starting linemen are all returning from 2023. Denver will hope Wattenberg is not a weak link as the only new starter.

4. It’s now or never for Greg Dulcich: He’s finally healthy, so can the tight end utilize his speed to make a big impact in Sean Payton’s offense?

5. A lighter Javonte Williams: The running back lost 11 pounds this offseason and Payton has said he looks like “a completely different player.” Sure, that could be coach speak, but Williams is now two years removed from his 2022 knee injury. Perhaps we’ll see a rejuvenated RB in 2024.

6. New-look defensive line: The Broncos signed Malcolm Roach during free agency, then they acquired John Franklin-Myers in a trade with the New York Jets. JFM and Roach joined a d-line rotation that already featured Zach Allen and D.J. Jones. Denver also has Eyioma Uwazurike returning from last year’s gambling suspension, and the team has been impressed with Jordan Jackson. The defensive line could be one of the Broncos’ big strengths in 2024.

7. Cody Barton replacing Josey Jewell: Denver lost Jewell in free agency and replaced him with Barton, who has started 24 games over the last two seasons. Will there be a noticeable difference at ILB?

8. Riley Moss at cornerback: Moss was never able to get going on defense as a rookie after undergoing core muscle surgery last summer. Now healthy entering Year 2, Moss is set to start across from Pat Surtain at cornerback. Let’s see what he can do.

9. Replacing Justin Simmons at safety: After moving on from both Simmons and Caden Sterns this offseason, the Broncos are poised to start free agent addition Brandon Jones and P.J. Locke at safety. There’s obviously going to be a drop-off going from one of the NFL’s best safeties to players with no career accolades, but can Jones and Locke hold their own?

10. Bo Nix makes his NFL debut: Nix is set to become the team’s 14th starting quarterback in the post-Peyton Manning era. Nix will also become Denver’s first rookie quarterback since John Elway to start in Week 1. No pressure, rookie.

After facing the Seahawks, the Broncos will return home to host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2. First things first, Seattle’s on deck.

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Broncos post another blank injury report Thursday

The Broncos posted blank injury reports on Wednesday and Thursday. Every player on the 53-man roster is healthy.

The Denver Broncos remain in good health going into their Week 1 showdown with the Seattle Seahawks.

After posting a blank injury report on Wednesday, Denver had perfect participation again at Thursday’s practice, an unusual occurrence in the NFL.

Broncos safety Brandon Jones missed most of training camp while dealing with a hamstring injury, but coach Sean Payton gave a positive report on the defensive back’s health after Wednesday’s practice.

“Good,” Payton said when asked how Jones looked. “He was good moving out there today. He’s feeling well. His testing numbers and all the metrics that come back relative to it are going well.”

Here’s a look at the team’s injury report from Thursday:

Player Injury Wed Thur Fri Game Status

Denver, of course, does have a few players sidelined who are not on the 53-man roster. Three of those players — cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle), linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) — will be eligible to return from IR/PUP after four games.

The Broncos will practice again on Friday before releasing a final injury report with game statuses for Sunday.

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Brandon Jones knows he has big shoes to fill replacing Justin Simmons

“It’s definitely some shoes to fill,” Broncos safety Brandon Jones said of replacing Justin Simmons in Denver’s secondary.

After moving on from veteran safety Justin Simmons this spring, the Denver Broncos replaced him with Brandon Jones, a former Miami Dolphin.

Simmons was more than just a star player in Denver — he was a team captain and heavily involved in the community, a leader in the locker room and a fan favorite off the field. He’s now playing for the Atlanta Falcons and the Broncos have moved forward with Jones.

The 26-year-old safety knows he has big shoes to fill in Denver.

“He’s one of the best to do it in my opinion,” Jones said of Simmons earlier this summer. “You guys probably know his numbers better than me, but he had over 30 interceptions over his career here, which is super impressive. Like I said at OTAs, I had the chance to meet him and he’s a super nice guy and super humble. It’s definitely some shoes to fill, but I kind of look at it as a new journey and a new road to be able to pave for myself.

“Throughout my career, I’ve always been labeled as only being able to do certain things. This opportunity, I will be able to show how versatile I can be, how I can do a lot of other things and branch out from being labeled as one thing and a guy that can do everything.”

After spending the first four years of his career in Miami, Jones is now set to start across from P.J. Locke in the Broncos’ secondary this fall.

He has totaled nine pass breakups, eight sacks, four forced fumbles and three interceptions through 54 career games. Not quite Justin Simmons numbers, but a good start. Jones will make his Denver debut against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1.

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