Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos 2016: AFC West Preview - Week Four

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 25, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) runs the ball for a touchdown against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Chris Lewis-Harris (37) and safety George Iloka (43) in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. Denver defeated the Cincinnati 29-17. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Broncos hit the road for the second time in as many weeks to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they attempt to improve their record to a perfect 4-0.  Please continue reading for my general thoughts on this game, as well as other games featuring teams in the AFC West.

Denver Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: After a 29-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Broncos head to Florida to face the 1-2 Buccaneers.  I am not sure if Broncos will run or throw more today but I do expect them to put on another impressive offensive performance considering the Buccaneers defense is ranked last in points allowed per game (33.7).  The Bucs are ranked 19th in passing defense (272 yards/game) and 15th in rushing defense (98 yards/game).

On the defensive side of the ball, obviously the main threat the Broncos will have to contain is second-year starter Jameis Winston.  I haven’t seen or followed the Buccaneers a lot but I did shake my head when I saw that Winston threw for four touchdowns and nearly 300 yards in their 31-24 season-opening victory over the Atlanta Falcons; that performance was followed up by a four-interception game that saw Arizona Cardinals thrash the Bucs 40-7.  Based on that stat alone, the Broncos defense may be primed for another big game.

When playing in Florida this early in the season the weather, more specifically, the temperature always has to be taken into consideration.  The high temperature in Tampa is forecasted to be 90 degrees with 55-60% humidity and a slight chance of rain.  The Broncos will be wearing orange jerseys today since the home team gets preference and the Bucs chose white.  No doubt, this was an attempt to deal with the high-temperatures, and possibly get into the heads of the Broncos.

Prediction: Denver 31, Tampa Bay 10 – the Broncos overcome the heat, the defense dominates and makes Winston look like a second-year quarterback going against the defending Super Bowl Champions.

Sep 25, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback Sean Smith (21) celebrates after defeating the Tennessee Titans 17-10 at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland Raiders at Baltimore Ravens: Will the real Oakland Raiders defense please stand up?  For the first few weeks of the season, I continuously commented on the porous Raiders passing defense and was on the verge of giving up on my monitoring of the high expectations put on the black-and-silver.  

Then the Raiders travel to Tennessee in week three and put up a good defensive performance, holding the Tennessee Titans to only ten points.  So, can the Raiders do it two weeks in a row?

My gut tells me no – doing it against a young quarterback in Tennessee is one thing, doing it against a seasoned quarterback like Joe Flacco is another… plus, the Ravens, as much as I hate to say it, are a consistently high-performing team.  

Of the five undefeated teams in the league, the Ravens are one of them!  Since it is so hard to predict professional football given the infinite number of variables that impact a game, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if the Raiders hand the Ravens their first loss of the season but I just don’t think it will happen.

Prediction: Oakland 21, Baltimore 31 – by no means will the Ravens walk all over the Raiders and Derek Carr will once again put people on notice that the Raiders are improving.

Sep 25, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Dexter McCluster (33) runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Saints at San Diego Chargers: I am not sure what over/under is on this game but I would easily take the over – both passing defenses are ranked near the bottom of the league in yards per game.  

If my initial thought does come to fruition, I would expect both quarterbacks, Philip Rivers and Drew Brees, to both have great days.  The question would be then who is going to have the better day?  I don’t like to do this, but I have to side with Rivers on this one, as much I hate to lean toward the AFC West when it doesn’t include the Broncos.  

No statistical information to justify this thought it just appears that the Saints aren’t quite meshing yet and I think the home crowd will help the Chargers today.

Prediction – San Diego 38, New Orleans 28 – both quarterbacks throw for more than 300 yards.

Sep 25, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters (22) celebrates after intercepting a pass in the end zone during the second half against the New York Jets at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers: The Chiefs are coming off of an impressive defensive performance that saw them cause eight turnovers against the New York Jets, while the Steelers may still be licking wounds from the 34-3 thrashing handed to them last week by the Philadelphia Eagles.  

Given that, this game should be a no brainer – Kansas City goes to Pittsburgh and easily beats the Steelers.  Not so fast – the Chiefs forced eight turnovers but only scored 24 points, six of which were by the defense on an interception returned for a touchdown.  Something tells me the offense struggled or the Jets defense is absolutely stellar.  

In the NFL teams have no choice but to get over losses easily and I am sure the Steelers have done that; what better way to redeem yourself than play at home on Sunday night?!  I am looking forward to this game because I think we will see different teams than we saw last week – the Chiefs may be involved in eight turnovers again but it may be their offense turning it over and the Steelers may once again be involved in a blowout – this time on the right side of it!

Prediction:  Kansas City 10, Pittsburgh 38 (Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell light it up in the Steel City)

Go Broncos – beat the Buccaneers!

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