Denver Broncos
vs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 4
NFL Pick
10/2/16
Denver is at Tampa Bay in Week 4 of the NFL season. The Broncos entered with questions. Yet, they are 3-0 and look like they have just as good a chance to win the Super Bowl as they did last year. The Buccaneers entered with hope of improvement. They’ve seen much the same as they’ve seen the last few years with their 1-2 start. The Broncos are a 3-point favorite with a total of 44.
Much was made of Trevor Siemian’s one NFL regular-season snap and zero pass attempts heading into 2016, but Siemian has responded well. It’s been a little up-and-down, but my, was this past week good. Siemian completed just under two thirds of his passes for 312 yards, Four touchdowns and no interceptions. It was his first performance with over 300 yards, more than one touchdown and no interceptions. If that’s any indication of his comfort, Siemian will be one to keep your eyes on. By no means am I saying that is to be the expected output from now on, but it will be interesting to see what he does with more time in the Denver offense.
Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are helping out as expected. They each have over 200-yards receiving and have combined for three touchdowns. Should Siemian continue to progress, watch for these two to have even better numbers as the season progresses. Tampa Bay’s defense has allowed 8.5 yards per attempt on the season and has given up seven touchdown passes versus only one interception. It could be another big day for Siemian.
The Buccaneers have been pretty good against the run, so don’t expect CJ Anderson to have all that much production. He’s had a pretty good start to the season, with 203 rushing yards and two touchdowns (he also has two receiving touchdowns). This Game is primed more for Siemian to have a good opportunity to lead the Broncos.
Jameis Winston has been up-and-down throughout the early stages of 2016. This can be expected for a young quarterback; the problem is, the downs have been violent. Winston has thrown for an average of over 300 yards per Game, but has thrown six interceptions compared to eight touchdowns. He’s thrown at least one interception in every Game as well.
Mike Evans leads the receiver corps. He has 301 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Adam Humphries has been good as well with 201 yards on the season. OUtside of these two, there hasn’t been much of a threat.
The running Game has been pretty non-existent so far. Doug Martin is out with a hamstring injury. The Bucs don’t have a single runner who’s been able to reach 100 yards through their first three Games. Even with an injury, it seems difficult to have that little success.
Denver is second in the NFL is defensive yards per pass attempt at 5.7. They’re also second in the league in sacks with 12. They’ve allowed only two touchdown passes versus three interceptions.
Any way you look at it, this one points to Denver getting the win. They’ve faced much better teams and have come away with victories already. Siemian likely prospers again and Winston struggles versus Von Miller & Co. Broncos -3