Denver Broncos

Week 4 Grades for Buccaneers' Loss to the Denver Broncos

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:09 p.m. ET

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Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Dark clouds approach Raymond James Stadium late in the fourth quarter of the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver Broncos. Play was suspended for weather. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Anyone predicting wins and losses for the 2016 Buccaneers probably had this squad at 2-1 at this point with wins against the Rams and Falcons.

Coming into Week 4 the actual record was 1-2 after a disastrous loss to the Arizona Cardinals and a disappointing late game meltdown against Los Angeles in the Buccaneers’ home opener.

Tampa Bay faced the defending Super Bowl Champions when the Broncos came into town and they had to know it was going to be a dogfight from the very beginning.

Two interceptions early in the contest led to touchdowns for the visiting squad, and the Bucs never had a chance after that.

Back-to-back home losses following a 1-1 split on the road is no way to close out the first quarter of a season, but luckily for this franchise they still have young talent and a schedule coming out of the bye which looks workable.

They’ll need to pull out a win against the Carolina Panthers next week, and suddenly it looks like a possibility unless Cam Newton and his crew get their act together.

For now, let’s breakdown how this WIN/LOSS was earned, and where this team needs to improve heading into a Week 5 match-up with the 1-3 Carolina Panthers.

Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Jacquizz Rodgers (32) runs with the ball during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

OFFENSE

It’s a passing league, I get it, but the Buccaneers with Doug Martin are a different team than without him. Heading into their second of three expected games without their lead back adds pressure to an offensive unit already relying more than most on young talent.

Quarterback Jameis Winston had a better outing in Week 3 than he had in Week 2 firing for over 400-yards and three touchdowns with just one interception.

This match-up with the Broncos elite defense meant Winston would have to show football intelligence beyond his years if he was going to lead his team to victory rather than drive them to defeat.

Unfortunately it just didn’t happen. Aqib Talib returned to Raymond James Stadium and delivered two early blows to his former employer. After the second of his two interceptions he made no secret of his attitude towards the fans who once cheered him on as he gloated along the sideline.

I suppose he probably took some flak on social media during his legal troubles though, so perhaps he felt he owed the Bucs faithful one.

The Denver defense certainly got the better of the Bucs offense today, and it’s a win Talib will treasure for sure.

Taking a closer look at the position groups for Tampa Bay though, it’s clear where most of the blame has to be placed.

Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) reacts and celebrates after he scored a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

QUARTERBACK

If you had a sense of déjà vu when Jameis Winston threw his first pass in the Buccaneers game this week you weren’t alone.

For the second time in his career, Winston’s first throw of a game was intercepted, although this one wasn’t taken back for a pick-six, so there’s some improvement.

It was however, turned into a touchdown just one snap later as Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian fired a short pass to Demaryius Thomas. More on this later.

In the Bucs’ first scoring drive of the game the second-year quarterback showed just why everyone is so excited about him as he turned in a 13 play, 75-yard drive where Winston went 5-for-7 passing for 69 yards.

Capping off the drive with a 7-yard scramble for a touchdown certainly helped make up for the interception thrown, but he would throw another two possessions later giving the Broncos offense the ball at the Buccaneers’ 27-yard line.

Winston’s first half was filled with errant throws, bad decisions and forced action as the more experienced guy looked like the one starting just his fourth game of his career.

It wasn’t totally his fault though. What makes this young quarterback look so ugly at times it what makes him look like a genius – and the future of this franchise – at others.

Under constant pressure resulting from an offensive line which couldn’t quite hang with their opponent, Winston made lemon water out of lemons.

It doesn’t taste good, but Bucs fans need to appreciate his tenacity in the face of so much adversity.

In all, Winston threw for just 179 yards completing less than 50% of his passes. He gets a C here though, because he persevered and made everything he could out of every play; even on 3rd and forever at the end of the game with the rush bearing down on him one last time.

GRADE: C

Next: Running Backs

Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Shane Ray (56) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Charles Sims (34) during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

RUNNING BACKS

Following Charles Sims’ good showing against the Los Angeles Rams it’s hard to blame the Buccaneers for going with him so often early in the second half.

If the team can establish the run then maybe, just maybe, they can give their quarterback some time in the pocket and help him see the field better.

We’ve already talked about how the strategy worked out early, but let’s look at Sims himself.

The Broncos have surprisingly given up an average of 127.7 rushing yards through the first three weeks of the year, but Sims didn’t have the same kind of success.

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On 12 first-half carries he totaled just 19 yards struggling to hit holes and make his way through the line of scrimmage.

Adding to his struggles during the early going was a horrendous fumble he surrendered with the Bucs down just seven points and in field goal range late in the second quarter.

Jacquizz Rodgers was by far the better runner for Tampa Bay at least in the first half as he took his five carries for 20 yards.

The running game simply never did anything and honestly never really had the room to do anything.

If DeMarco Murray has taught us anything it’s that systems and blocking schemes have to facilitate success. When they don’t there just isn’t much a running back can do with three defenders in the backfield.

The two running backs combined for 53 yards on 21 carries at the end of it, and facing the defense they were I wouldn’t have expected much more.

I blame the coaching staff for not going with Rodgers earlier and more often as he was the better player today, but the overall grade suffers because of the school house turnover by Sims.

GRADE: D

Next: Wide Receivers

Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Denver Broncos strong safety T.J. Ward (43) and cornerback Aqib Talib (21) break up a pass to Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

WIDE RECEIVERS

Just like every other member of the Buccaneers roster, the wide receivers knew they had a fight on their hands locking up with one of the best secondaries in the NFL. In fact, Denver’s defense was just one of five units surrendering less than 200 yards receiving through Week 3.

Winston completed just 10 passes in the first half and five of those were to wide receivers. Mike Evans brought in two for 22-yards and Vincent Jackson grabbed the other three for 38-yards himself.

It was good to see Jackson getting involved earlier than he had in the previous games, but it still wasn’t enough as the Bucs just couldn’t get a drive put together outside of the one scoring drive they had before halftime.

Adam Humphries did appear to pull-up short on a drag route which contributed to the first interception of the game and he did little else through the first two quarters.

The second-year guy from Clemson did eventually get in the act with one catch for four yards, but he’s certainly not going to be happy with his production.

Evans was once again the teams best receiver as he finished with five more catches and 59 yards while being shut-out of the endzone.

We can’t put the loss on the receivers here as they were moving all day and trying to make plays for their quarterback under duress.

The lack of production is very real however, and the interception to start the game can be blamed in part to the route running of Humphries making their marks for the day lower than desired.

GRADE: D+

Next: Tight Ends

Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate (84) is congratulated by quarterback Jameis Winston (3) after he scored a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

TIGHT ENDS

Cameron Brate was a consistent target for his quarterback during the one scoring drive they orchestrated in the first half.

Three of his four catches came during their lone scoring drive early and he totaled 48-yards before the half.

Blocking is a very underrated part of a tight ends game and nobody on the Buccaneers front line had a good blocking day.

Little-to-no room was given to running backs and Winston had Broncos in his face all day long.

Brandon Myers suffered an injury during the game, and with the team already missing Luke Stocker to injury and having cut loose Austin Seferian-Jenkins (for good reason), this team is thin at the position.

As a result Brate was only able to haul in one more catch after the half and finished with five for 67 yards.

In this league, if your tight end is your team’s leading receiver then he better have a big day. Brate didn’t, and it’s just one more sign of the struggles this offense faced all day.

It may be time to call up Danny Vitale from the practice squad if Myers can’t return. Fellow undrafted rookie Alan Cross did get on the field, but didn’t help blocking matter much and had zero catches on one target.

GRADE: D+

Next: Offensive Line

Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) tries to avoid Denver Broncos defensive linemen Derek Wolfe (95) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

OFFENSIVE LINE

Buccaneers running backs averaged just 2.3 yards per carry in the first half and their quarterback was hit seven times; including one sack.

The lack of protection and lack of ability to hold up at the point of attack contributed significantly to early struggles as Winston was constantly trying to make something happen without the luxury of being confident in the pocket.

Even the team’s one first-half score came because of a broken offensive line as Winston scrambled away from pressure and into the endzone.

Three of the Bucs’ six penalties through two quarters came from the offensive line including a holding call against Joe Hawley which negated a 15-yard run to the Broncos 38-yard line and ultimately led to a punt.

In all, the Bucs’ offensive line surrendered five sacks and got their young leader hit 16 more times. Think about this, Jameis Winston got hit more than his starting running back did.

This group will have a lot to answer for in meetings this week, and their quarterback’s health really needs them to get it together.

GRADE: F

Next: Defense

Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end William Gholston (92) and defensive tackle Clinton McDonald (98) congratulate each other against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSE

The defense has shouldered the blame for the Buccaneers’ bad start to the season and came out looking to make a statement against the Super Bowl Champs as they closed out the first quarter of the season.

Aggressive play was the attitude of the first half as the team kept the Broncos’ offense contained for the most part with both first-half Denver touchdowns following turnovers and putting them in a short field.

Heading into the fourth quarter the Bucs were still in this one figuratively, but being on the field so long paired with injuries to Gerald McCoy, Noah Spence, William Gholston and Lavonte David simply put too much on the unit and rookie Paxton Lynch was able to orchestrate an 80-yard touchdown drive to give the Broncos a 27-7 lead in the 4th quarter.

In the end, it was a good effort by the defense all-around, and they actually showed a little improvement in key areas.

Their penalties were limited and the Broncos were held to just 307 yards of total offense. If not for the short fields this unit was put into the score may have been different, but eventually all defenses will succumb to the amount of time they spent on the field in the second half.

Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Brent Grimes (24) works out prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE BACKS

If any unit on this defense needed to show up today it was the secondary. After giving up big plays on blown coverages and miscommunications for two weeks straight, it was going to get ugly real fast if they made the same mistakes against Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.

To their credit they did limit the Broncos passing attack to right around 100-yards in the first half and the only two touchdowns surrendered came with their backs against the wall to begin the drives after the Bucs’ offense gave their opponents great field position.

On the first score of the game however, more of the same problems reared up again as safety Chris Conte simply used bad form to try and tackle the Broncos’ Thomas after a short reception. Not only did Conte fail to make the tackle, but because of the angle he used he also blocked cornerback Brent Grimes from trying to make a play on the receiver as Thomas walked into the Buccaneers’ endzone.

The passing game never got the huge play this group had been allowing the past couple of weeks and the longest pass of the game went for 31-yards. However, this was against a first year starter and a rookie who’d never taken a snap.

Playing against a Pro Bowl cornerback (Brent Grimes) and veteran safeties, with those quarterbacks, there’s no way Demaryius Thomas should have rung up 94-yards receiving and Emmanuel Sanders another 88 with a touchdown.

Considering the pass rush the front seven was actually able to bring early this unit could have held the Broncos receivers in check better, and while they should certainly be applauded for the job they did, it’s got to be better still.

GRADE: C-

Next: Linebackers

Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers middle linebacker Kwon Alexander (58) reacts after making a tackle against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

LINEBACKERS

The Buccaneers linebacker duo of Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander have been so consistently good it’s almost hard to see anymore. We’re almost just expecting it.

This is good and bad, but this week was more of the same. Aggressive pursuit of the run and good coverage against close receivers and tight ends made the Broncos’ job a bit harder and contributed to keeping this team in it as long as they were.

David was quiet for most of the game and recorded just four tackles. Alexander was a bit more active and finished with seven tackles, one sack, a tackle for a loss and two more hits on the quarterback.

The more veteran of the two did bite on a Paxton Lynch pump-fake which wasn’t really a pump-fake and opened up a double move for a crucial first down on the way to a Broncos score.

Other than this, the linebackers kept their expected level of play with Daryl Smith even chipping in with three tackles.

The first down surrendered on a rookie play by a veteran defender hurts the overall grade, and a forced turnover or two would have elevated it to “A” status.

GRADE: B-

Next: Defensive Line

Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Akeem Spence (97) and defensive tackle Clinton McDonald (98) tackle Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE LINE

This may be the best we’ve seen the Buccaneers defensive line perform all year long. Unfortunately it led to three of their guys hobbling off the field as Gerald McCoy, Noah Spence and William Gholston all left the game at one point for injuries.

McCoy (Calf) and Spence (Shoulder) were ruled out opening the second half and Gholston

To this unit’s credit they were able to tally three early sacks on Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian who was knocked out of the game in the first-half.

With rookie quarterback Paxton Lynch filling in for the injured starter, Denver went heavy with the run and the Bucs defensive line assisted in holding C.J. Anderson to just 49 yards on 19 carries.

He did get in the endzone, but fans have to be happy with the level of play up-front despite injuries to Robert Ayers coming in and the three guys they lost during the game.

Clinton McDonald was the star of the front-seven and the team for that matter as he compiled a team high eight tackles along with 1.5 sacks, two tackles for a loss and two hits on the quarterback.

This group definitely answered the call, and they get a grade which matches, it’s just too bad it wasn’t enough to get the team over the hump.

GRADE: B+

Next: Special Teams

Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers punter Bryan Anger (9) punts the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

SPECIAL TEAMS

Bryan Anger came into this game with the 12th highest yards per punt average at 48-yards per kick.

Roberto Aguayo came in as the much-maligned rookie kicker who took a lot of blame for the team’s Week 2 loss to the Rams.

In Week 4 Aguayo got a break as he hit his only kick – an extra point.

Meanwhile, Anger may need to stick his leg in one of those high-speed cryo-saunas as his leg booted the football seven times and kicked the ball for more yards than either offense was able to gain on the day.

An average of 46.6 yards per punt against the Broncos will actually bring the punter’s average down, but three of them landing inside the 20-yard line will be a good consolation for the drop,.

The Buccaneers may have themselves a Pro Bowl caliber punter capable of sending the ball 59-yards downfield.

Unfortunately they may also need him.

Anger’s efforts didn’t win the game, but he ensured Denver had to earn as many points as possible, plus Aguayo didn’t miss a field goal.

GRADE: B

Next: The End

Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) talks with head coach Dirk Koetter against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

THE END

Today was all about defense. Namely, the Broncos’ defense.

The Buccaneers were underdogs coming in to this anyway, and admittedly I don’t think anyone had this game marked as a sure win on the schedule.

With the way the offense had been playing however it was the defense which gave most around the Bucs team pause, and after today there’s just more questions than answers, and no time to find them.

Next week this team plays the Carolina Panthers who are 1-3 themselves, but their 1-3 is a bit better than Tampa Bay’s.

The offensive line gets the worst grade of the day and has the most work to do before heading to Charlotte for Week 5.

The secondary wasn’t perfect but any improvement is a sign the unit is at least invested into getting better.

With a speed-heavy wide receiver group awaiting them next week, we’ll see if lessons have stuck or if this was a one-week illusion.

How did you grade your Buccaneers team this week? Where do you see improvement, if any, and where do the biggest concerns lie in your opinion?

Join the discussion below or on Twitter.

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