Denver Broncos vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Match Player Stats (Sep 22, 2024)
Denver’s dominant 26-7 victory over Tampa Bay on September 22, 2024, at Raymond James Stadium produced some striking individual performances and team statistics. The game saw rookie quarterback Bo Nix deliver his first turnover-free performance while the Broncos defense recorded seven sacks against Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers offense.
Quick Stats Summary
Game Essentials
Final Score
Denver 26, Tampa Bay 7
Location
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Attendance
62,738
Date
September 22, 2024 (Week 3)
Key Statistical Differences
Sacks
Denver 0 allowed, Tampa Bay 7 allowed
Total Yards
Denver 352, Tampa Bay 223
Turnovers
Denver 1, Tampa Bay 2
Time of Possession
Denver 32:08, Tampa Bay 27:52
Scoring Breakdown by Quarter
| Quarter | Team | Play Description | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (11:05) | DEN | Bo Nix 3-yard rush (Lutz kick) | DEN 7-0 |
| 1st (2:56) | DEN | Jaleel McLaughlin 1-yard rush (Lutz kick) | DEN 14-0 |
| 2nd (9:25) | DEN | Wil Lutz 43-yard field goal | DEN 17-0 |
| 2nd (1:50) | TB | Chris Godwin 5-yard pass from Mayfield (McLaughlin kick) | DEN 17-7 |
| 2nd (0:02) | DEN | Wil Lutz 38-yard field goal | DEN 20-7 |
| 4th (14:52) | DEN | Wil Lutz 33-yard field goal | DEN 23-7 |
| 4th (7:30) | DEN | Wil Lutz 43-yard field goal | DEN 26-7 |
Denver scored on their opening possession, going 70 yards in 6 plays. The drive included a 22-yard completion to Courtland Sutton on the first snap and a 31-yard pass to Josh Reynolds.
Team Statistical Comparison
| Category | Denver Broncos | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 352 | 223 |
| Passing Yards | 216 | 132 (163 gross – 31 sack yards) |
| Rushing Yards | 136 | 91 |
| First Downs | 18 | 17 |
| Third Down Conversions | 4-13 (31%) | 3-11 (27%) |
| Fourth Down Conversions | 2-3 (67%) | 0-2 (0%) |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 2-4 (50%) | 1-2 (50%) |
| Penalties | 5-51 | 5-19 |
| Yards per Play | 5.5 | 4.0 |
Quarterback Performance Analysis
The quarterback matchup featured contrasting performances, with Bo Nix achieving his first NFL game without a turnover while Baker Mayfield struggled under constant pressure.
Passing Statistics
| Quarterback | Comp/Att | Yards | TDs | INTs | Rating | Sacks Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bo Nix (DEN) | 25/36 | 216 | 0 | 0 | 85.0 | 0 |
| Baker Mayfield (TB) | 25/33 | 163 | 1 | 1 | 83.3 | 7 for -31 yards |
Advanced Quarterback Metrics
| Metric | Bo Nix | Baker Mayfield |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN QBR | 74.3 | 10.4 |
| Average Time to Throw | 2.57 seconds | 3.12 seconds |
| Completion % Above Expected | +4.3% | -2.1% |
| Tight Window Throw % | 16.7% | 8.3% |
| Longest Completion | 31 yards | 13 yards |
Nix’s improvement was significant, considering he had posted a combined 51.0 passer rating with four interceptions in his first two NFL starts. His 74.1 Pro Football Focus grade ranked among the top 10 quarterbacks for Week 3.
Rushing Attack Breakdown
Both teams featured different approaches to their ground game, with Denver establishing consistency while Tampa Bay struggled to maintain balance.
Individual Rushing Statistics
| Player | Team | Attempts | Yards | Average | TDs | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler Badie | DEN | 9 | 70 | 7.8 | 0 | 43 |
| Bucky Irving | TB | 9 | 70 | 7.8 | 0 | 32 |
| Bo Nix | DEN | 9 | 47 | 5.2 | 1 | 22 |
| Rachaad White | TB | 6 | 17 | 2.8 | 0 | 9 |
| Javonte Williams | DEN | 5 | 12 | 2.4 | 0 | 5 |
| Jaleel McLaughlin | DEN | 5 | 7 | 1.4 | 1 | 7 |
| Sean Tucker | TB | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 0 | 4 |
Tyler Badie, promoted from Denver’s practice squad for this game, provided immediate impact. His 43-yard run represented Denver’s longest rushing play of the season to that point. Tampa Bay managed just 16 rushing attempts total, abandoning the ground game early due to the score deficit.
Receiving Statistics and Target Distribution
Denver effectively spread the ball among nine different receivers, while Tampa Bay’s passing game was limited to short completions under pressure.
Denver Receiving Corps
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Avg | TDs | Targets | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courtland Sutton | 7 | 68 | 9.7 | 0 | 11 | 22 |
| Lil’Jordan Humphrey | 6 | 37 | 6.2 | 0 | 8 | 17 |
| Javonte Williams | 4 | 29 | 7.3 | 0 | 4 | 11 |
| Josh Reynolds | 2 | 36 | 18.0 | 0 | 2 | 31 |
| Troy Franklin | 2 | 11 | 5.5 | 0 | 5 | 6 |
| Adam Trautman | 1 | 13 | 13.0 | 0 | 1 | 13 |
| Marvin Mims Jr. | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| Jaleel McLaughlin | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| Nate Adkins | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
Tampa Bay Receiving Corps
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Avg | TDs | Targets | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cade Otton | 7 | 47 | 6.7 | 0 | 8 | 13 |
| Chris Godwin | 6 | 53 | 8.8 | 1 | 9 | 13 |
| Rachaad White | 5 | 18 | 3.6 | 0 | 6 | 8 |
| Bucky Irving | 3 | 14 | 4.7 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| Mike Evans | 2 | 17 | 8.5 | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| Payne Durham | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| Jalen McMillan | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Trey Palmer | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Mike Evans managed just two receptions on three targets for 17 yards while being covered primarily by Pat Surtain II. This marked Evans’s lowest output of the season.
Defensive Performance Analysis
Denver’s defense dominated every statistical category, with the pass rush serving as the foundation for their success.
Sack Distribution
| Player | Position | Sacks | QB Hits | Tackles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dondrea Tillman | OLB | 2.0 | 3 | 3 |
| Nik Bonitto | OLB | 1.0 | 1 | 2 |
| Zach Allen | DE | 1.0 | 2 | 3 |
| Jonathon Cooper | OLB | 1.0 | 1 | 3 |
| John Franklin-Myers | DE | 1.0 | 1 | 2 |
| Devon Key | S | 1.0 | 1 | 2 |
Tillman became the first Broncos player to record at least two sacks in his NFL debut and just the fourth undrafted player since 1990 to accomplish this feat.
Top Defensive Performers by Tackles
| Player | Team | Total | Solo | Assists | TFL | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamel Dean | TB | 13 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Alex Singleton | DEN | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Ja’Quan McMillian | DEN | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Christian Izien | TB | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Lavonte David | TB | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Brandon Jones | DEN | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Riley Moss | DEN | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| K.J. Britt | TB | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jordan Whitehead | TB | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Zyon McCollum | TB | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
Team Defensive Comparison
| Category | Denver | Tampa Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Total Tackles | 65 | 71 |
| Tackles for Loss | 5 | 2 |
| Sacks | 7 | 0 |
| QB Hits | 9 | 2 |
| Pass Deflections | 3 | 5 |
| Interceptions | 1 | 0 |
| Forced Fumbles | 1 | 1 |
| Fumble Recoveries | 1 | 1 |
Game-Changing Turnovers
Safety Brandon Jones created both of Denver’s takeaways, each occurring at critical moments:
First Quarter Interception: With Denver leading 7-0, Jones intercepted Baker Mayfield on third down and returned it 37 yards to the Tampa Bay 9-yard line. Denver scored four plays later to take a 14-0 lead.
Fourth Quarter Fumble Recovery: Jones recovered a fumble forced by Riley Moss on Cade Otton, returning it 34 yards and ending Tampa Bay’s final scoring threat.
Jones finished with:
- 6 tackles (4 solo, 2 assists)
- 1 interception for 37 yards
- 1 fumble recovery for 34 yards
- 92.8 PFF grade (2nd among all NFL defenders in Week 3)
Special Teams Performance
Wil Lutz’s perfect kicking provided crucial scoring consistency for Denver throughout the game.
Kicking Statistics
| Kicker | Team | FG Made/Att | FG Distances | XP Made/Att | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wil Lutz | DEN | 4/4 | 43, 38, 33, 43 | 2/2 | 14 |
| Chase McLaughlin | TB | 0/0 | None attempted | 1/1 | 1 |
Punting Performance
| Punter | Team | Punts | Total Yards | Average | Inside 20 | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riley Dixon | DEN | 2 | 96 | 48.0 | 1 | 49 |
| Jake Camarda | TB | 4 | 189 | 47.3 | 2 | 67 |
Return Game Statistics
| Player | Team | Return Type | Returns | Yards | Average | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvin Mims Jr. | DEN | Punt | 1 | 27 | 27.0 | 27 |
| Sean Tucker | TB | Kickoff | 1 | 27 | 27.0 | 27 |
| Bucky Irving | TB | Kickoff | 1 | 27 | 27.0 | 27 |
Offensive Line Performance Grades
Denver’s offensive line delivered exceptional pass protection, as evidenced by their Pro Football Focus grades:
| Player | Position | Pass Block Grade | Run Block Grade | Sacks Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Wattenberg | C | 84.6 | 45.6 | 0 |
| Ben Powers | LG | 84.5 | 54.9 | 0 |
| Quinn Meinerz | RG | 84.5 | 69.9 | 0 |
| Garett Bolles | LT | 79.6 | 71.9 | 0 |
| Alex Palczewski | RT | 66.2 | 57.3 | 0 |
Palczewski, an undrafted second-year player, made his first career start at right tackle in place of injured Mike McGlinchey and held up well against Tampa Bay’s pass rushers.
Notable Pro Football Focus Grades
Denver:
- Brandon Jones (S): 92.8 (2nd among all NFL defenders, Week 3)
- Riley Moss (CB): 91.1 (highest among all NFL cornerbacks, Week 3)
- Bo Nix (QB): 74.1 (top 10 among QBs, Week 3)
- Quinn Meinerz (RG): 76.7 overall grade
Tampa Bay:
- Tristan Wirfs (LT): 85.2 pass block grade
- Ben Bredeson (LG): 44.7 overall grade
Key Injuries and Their Impact
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TB | Vita Vea | DT | Out | Run defense suffered |
| TB | Antoine Winfield Jr. | S | Out | Secondary depth tested |
| TB | Calijah Kancey | DT | Out | Pass rush diminished |
| TB | Luke Goedeke | RT | Out | O-line reshuffled |
| DEN | Mike McGlinchey | RT | Out | Palczewski started |
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TB | Vita Vea | DT | Out | Run defense suffered |
| TB | Antoine Winfield Jr. | S | Out | Secondary depth tested |
| TB | Calijah Kancey | DT | Out | Pass rush diminished |
| TB | Luke Goedeke | RT | Out | O-line reshuffled |
| DEN | Mike McGlinchey | RT | Out | Palczewski started |
Historical Context: Payton vs. Bowles
This game extended Sean Payton’s regular season record against Todd Bowles-led defenses to 9-0. Across these nine matchups, Payton’s offenses have averaged nearly 30 points per game while utilizing four different starting quarterbacks.
Three Key Statistical Takeaways
1. Pass Protection Disparity: The 7-0 sack differential represented the largest margin in any NFL game during Week 3 of the 2024 season.
2. Third Phase Impact: Denver converted 2 of 3 fourth-down attempts while Tampa Bay failed on both attempts, directly contributing to the scoring differential.
3. Defensive Scoring Opportunities: Denver’s defense set up 14 points through turnovers (Brandon Jones’s interception led to a touchdown, and his fumble recovery prevented a Tampa Bay score).
Game Flow and Momentum
Denver controlled the game from their opening possession. After winning the coin toss, Sean Payton elected to receive rather than defer. The aggressive play-calling on the opening drive resulted in a quick touchdown and set the tone for the entire game.
Tampa Bay’s only touchdown came late in the second quarter on a 5-yard pass from Mayfield to Chris Godwin. However, Denver immediately responded with a 38-yard field goal before halftime to maintain a comfortable 20-7 lead.
The second half featured Denver’s defense continuing to pressure Mayfield while the offense controlled the clock with a balanced attack. Four second-half field goals by Wil Lutz extended the lead and put the game out of reach.
Individual Matchup Outcomes
Pat Surtain II vs. Mike Evans: Surtain limited Evans to 2 catches on 3 targets for 17 yards, Evans’s lowest output of the season.
Denver O-Line vs. Tampa Pass Rush: Despite missing starting RT Mike McGlinchey, Denver allowed zero sacks on 39 pass attempts.
Brandon Jones vs. Tampa Bay Passing Game: Jones allowed a 32.6 passer rating when targeted in coverage and created two turnovers.
Statistical Milestones
- Bo Nix: First career game without a turnover
- Dondrea Tillman: First Broncos player with 2+ sacks in NFL debut
- Tyler Badie: Career-high 70 rushing yards
- Denver Defense: Season-high 7 sacks
- Wil Lutz: Extended season streak to 9/9 on field goals
Post-Game Assessments
Todd Bowles acknowledged the comprehensive defeat: “He outcoached me and their team outplayed our team.”
The statistics support Bowles’s assessment. Denver outgained Tampa Bay by 129 yards, dominated time of possession, and most importantly, protected their quarterback while constantly pressuring the opponent’s.
Final Statistical Summary
The Denver Broncos’ 26-7 victory featured dominant performances across all three phases. The offense efficiently moved the ball without turnovers, the defense created constant pressure and turnovers, and special teams provided consistent scoring.
For those interested in detailed player statistics from other matchups, comprehensive breakdowns are available for the Buffalo Bills vs Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Los Angeles Chargers games.
The complete box score and individual player performances from this Denver Broncos versus Tampa Bay Buccaneers game demonstrate how superior execution on both sides of the ball, combined with strategic coaching decisions, produced a convincing road victory for the Broncos.
Sources: NFL Game Center, Pro Football Focus, ESPN Stats & Information, Pro Football Reference
