Denver Broncos vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Match Player Stats: Complete Breakdown of Week 3 Showdown
The Denver Broncos’ 26-7 triumph over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3 was more than a win; it was a statement. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix delivered a breakout performance, combining poise in the pocket with explosive rushing, while Denver’s defence relentlessly pressured Baker Mayfield, forcing turnovers and securing key stops.
This complete team effort not only halted the Buccaneers’ momentum but also set the tone for Denver’s season. Dive into the full player stats to uncover how each performance shaped this dominant victory.
Game Summary
Final Score: Denver Broncos 26, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7
Date: September 22, 2024
Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Attendance: 62,738
The Broncos improved to 1-2 on the season while handing the Buccaneers their first loss, dropping them to 2-1.
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Key Offensive Player Stats
Denver Broncos Offense
Bo Nix (Quarterback)
- Passing: 25/36 completions, 216 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
- Rushing: 9 carries, 47 yards, 1 TD
- Passer Rating: 85.0
- Time to throw: 2.57 seconds (7th-best in Week 3)
Bo Nix delivered his first NFL victory in impressive fashion, completing nearly 70% of his passes without turning the ball over. The rookie’s three-yard rushing touchdown on the opening drive set the tone for Denver’s offensive success. This performance was a dramatic improvement from his first two games, where he had thrown four interceptions without a touchdown pass.
Courtland Sutton (Wide Receiver)
- Receptions: 7
- Receiving Yards: 68 yards
- Longest Reception: 22 yards
Sutton served as Nix’s primary target, providing a reliable option throughout the game.
Tyler Badie (Running Back)
- Rushing: 9 carries
- Rushing Yards: 70 yards
- Average: 7.8 yards per carry
Jaleel McLaughlin (Running Back)
- Rushing touchdown: 1-yard TD run
- Key contributor in short-yardage situations
Wil Lutz (Kicker)
- Field Goals: 4/4 (43, 38, 33, 43 yards)
- Extra Points: 2/2
- Total Points: 14
Lutz’s perfect performance on field goals proved crucial, accounting for more than half of Denver’s scoring.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offence
Baker Mayfield (Quarterback)
- Passing: 25/33 completions, 163 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Passer Rating: 129.1 (entering the game)
- Sacked: 7 times
Mayfield struggled under constant pressure from Denver’s defence, managing just 163 passing yards despite completing 75.8% of his passes.
Chris Godwin (Wide Receiver)
- Receptions: 6
- Receiving Yards: 53 yards
- Touchdowns: 1 (5-yard TD reception)
Godwin’s second-quarter touchdown provided Tampa Bay’s only points of the game.
Bucky Irving (Running Back)
- Rushing: 9 carries
- Rushing Yards: 70 yards
- Key plays: Runs of 32 and 13 yards set up Tampa Bay’s lone touchdown
Defensive Player Stats
Denver Broncos Defence
Team Defence Highlights:
- Total Sacks: 7
- Interceptions: 1 (Brandon Jones)
- Forced Fumbles: 1
Brandon Jones (Safety)
- Interceptions: 1
- Return Yards: 37 yards
- Impact: Set up Broncos’ second touchdown
Jones’ interception and return to the Tampa Bay 9-yard line led directly to McLaughlin’s touchdown run, giving Denver a commanding 14-0 lead.
Nik Bonitto (Edge Rusher)
- Key fourth-down sack of Baker Mayfield in the fourth quarter
- Critical defensive stop that preserved Denver’s lead
Dondrea Tillman (Linebacker)
- Tackles: 2 (team leader highlighted)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defence
Alex Singleton (Linebacker)
- Solo Tackles: 4
- Total Tackles: 10 (team-high)
Jamel Dean (Cornerback)
- Solo Tackles: 9
- Total Tackles: 13 (team-high)
Lavonte Hall
- Fumble Recovery: 1 (recovered Javonte Williams fumble)
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Team Statistics Comparison
| Category | Denver Broncos | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Total Yards | 352 | 223 |
| First Downs | 18 | 17 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 4/13 (30.8%) | 3/11 (27.3%) |
| Fourth Down Efficiency | 2/3 (66.7%) | 0/2 (0%) |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 2/4 (50%) | 1/2 (50%) |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Penalties-Yards | 5-51 | 5-19 |
| Time of Possession | 32:08 | 27:52 |
| Sacks Allowed | 0 | 7 |
Scoring Summary by Quarter
First Quarter:
- DEN: Bo Nix 3-yard TD run (Lutz XP) – 7-0
- DEN: Jaleel McLaughlin 1-yard TD run (Lutz XP) – 14-0
Second Quarter:
- DEN: Wil Lutz 43-yard FG – 17-0
- TB: Chris Godwin 5-yard TD pass from Baker Mayfield (McLaughlin XP) – 17-7
- DEN: Wil Lutz 38-yard FG – 20-7
Third Quarter:
- No scoring
Fourth Quarter:
- DEN: Wil Lutz 33-yard FG – 23-7
- DEN: Wil Lutz 43-yard FG – 26-7
Game-Changing Moments
- Bo Nix’s Opening Drive: The rookie quarterback completed passes of 22, 6, and 31 yards on the first three plays, setting up his rushing touchdown and establishing offensive rhythm.
- Brandon Jones Interception: The safety’s pick of Baker Mayfield and 37-yard return to Tampa Bay’s 9-yard line led to Denver’s second touchdown, building a 14-0 lead.
- Dominant Pass Rush: Denver’s seven sacks of Mayfield disrupted Tampa Bay’s offensive flow throughout the game, preventing the Buccaneers from establishing any momentum.
- Fourth Quarter Stops: Denver’s defence turned away two Tampa Bay possessions in Broncos territory, including a crucial fourth-down sack by Nik Bonitto and a forced fumble.
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Impact on Season Outlook
Denver Broncos
This victory prevented Denver from starting 0-3 for the second consecutive season under head coach Sean Payton. Bo Nix’s improved performance, completing 69.4% of his passes compared to 59.7% in his first two games, provided hope for the team’s offensive development. The rookie would go on to set multiple franchise records and lead Denver to their first playoff appearance since 2015.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The loss dropped Tampa Bay to 2-1 and marked their 12th victory against rookie quarterbacks (11-6 record) under Todd Bowles’ tenure. The defeat was particularly disappointing, coming on the heels of a road victory against Detroit. Missing key defensive players, including All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr., Vita Vea, and Calijah Kancey, proved costly.
Notable Absences
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
- Antoine Winfield Jr. (Safety)—foot injury
- Vita Vea (Defensive Line) – knee injury
- Calijah Kancey (Defensive Line) – calf injury
- Luke Goedeke (Right Tackle) – concussion
These absences had a significant impact on Tampa Bay’s defensive performance against Denver’s rushing attack and pass protection.
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Historical Context
Bo Nix made NFL history in this game by becoming the first player ever to accomplish the following in a single game:
- Complete 25+ passes
- Achieve a completion percentage above 69.0%
- Rush for more than 45 yards
- Score a rushing touchdown
- Throw 0 interceptions
- Take 0 sacks
This performance silenced early-season critics and demonstrated Nix’s potential as Denver’s franchise quarterback.
Post-Game Analysis
Coaching Perspectives
Sean Payton (Broncos Head Coach): Emphasised the importance of protecting the young quarterback and putting him in positions to succeed. The offensive game plan featured quick passes and designed runs that played to Nix’s strengths.
Todd Bowles (Buccaneers Head Coach): Acknowledged the team’s poor performance, stating they needed to coach and play better across the board.
Performance Grades
Bo Nix: Achieved a passing grade of 71.6 from Pro Football Focus, dramatically improved from his opening two games (41.8 and 49.9). His rushing grade of 72.0 highlighted his dual-threat capabilities.
Denver Defence: Dominated the line of scrimmage with seven sacks and consistently pressured Mayfield, limiting Tampa Bay to just 223 total yards.
Conclusion
The Denver Broncos vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers match showcased a complete team victory for Denver, with improved quarterback play from Bo Nix, a dominant defensive performance, and reliable special teams execution. The 26-7 final score represented a turning point in the Broncos’ season and validated the organization’s decision to draft Nix 12th overall.
For Tampa Bay, the loss exposed vulnerabilities when key defensive players are absent and served as a reminder that even experienced teams can struggle against well-coached opponents executing their game plan effectively.
This game would prove to be a launching point for Bo Nix’s successful rookie campaign, as he went on to break multiple franchise records and lead the Broncos to the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade.
