The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell to the Denver Broncos 26-7 as the home team’s mistakes piled up. The Bucs were unable to sustain their offensive attacks, converting three of 11 third-down attempts. Baker Mayfield was sacked seven times and Tampa Bay’s defense struggled to get off the field.

On the Broncos’ first play, Courtland Sutton gained 22 yards on a rush, and two plays later, Josh Reynolds gained 31 yards down the right sideline on a shoulder grab. He worked his way past the Bucs defense and ran a long play to the Tampa Bay 11-yard line. Quarterback Bo Nix capped the six-play, 70-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run around the right side. The Bucs offense followed with a quick three-and-out after Rachaad White gained two yards on third-and-10.

On the ensuing drive, the Bucs defense forced a quick punt. Jordan Whitehead forced Jaleel McLaughlin out of bounds with a block. He recognized the situation and was there, limiting McLaughlin’s YAC opportunity. Nix threw an incomplete pass on third down, forcing a punt.

The Bucs’ next drive was stopped by a Broncos possession. Brandon Jones intercepted a pass from Mayfield and returned it 36 ​​yards to the nine-yard line. The Bucs defense stood on third down and stopped Javonte Williams. Denver contested the call, but the play was upheld. The Broncos were able to score on fourth down with a one-yard run by Jaleel McLaughlin around right end to take a 14-0 lead. Tampa Bay’s offense stalled after a quick three-and-out when Riley Moss forced an incomplete pass from Trey Palmer on third down.

The Broncos’ ensuing 13-play, 41-yard drive ended with a 43-yard field goal by Will Lutz when Tykee Smith and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka stopped Troy Franklin short of the uprights. An illegal block by Powers on third down above the waist allowed Denver to go third-and-20.

The Bucs lost the ball on the ensuing drive after Mayfield’s pass to Godwin was incomplete on fourth-and-2. The tide turned on the Broncos’ next drive when the Bucs got their first takeaway of the day. Lavonte David forced a fumble and Logan Hall recovered it. Bucky Irving followed suit by getting into the open field after the cut and gaining 32 yards. Irving put the Bucs on first-and-goal at the one with a 13-yard gain.

Mayfield faked a handoff to White and Irving moved around the opposite end, putting the Bucs in advantageous field position. The Bucs were able to score before halftime on a Godwin score. Before the snap of second-and-six, Godwin lined up wide on the left side of the formation. He used a quick stutter step and worked his way out to gain enough leverage to turn his body around and secure the catch on a six-yard touchdown. The Bucs cut their deficit to 17-7 on the six-play, 67-yard drive. By the end of the first half, the Broncos were up by three points. Chris Braswell applied relentless pressure on third down, forcing Denver to settle for a 38-yard field goal by Lutz.

After the break, the Bucs were forced to punt despite Cade Otton and Chris Godwin gaining 13 yards, John Franklin-Myers sacking Mayfield for seven yards, an incomplete pass and no gain for White on a screen. The Broncos’ offense then fizzled out on a three-and-out when Tykee Smith nearly intercepted a ball on third down. The Bucs managed to cross the halfway line on the next drive after a few plays by Irving, but a sack of Mayfield on second down (-8) and an incomplete pass by Godwin on third down forced the home team to punt again at Raymond James Stadium.

On the Broncos’ next possession, Bo Nix fought his way to the Tampa Bay 31-yard line and forced several missed tackles, gaining 22 yards. Two Bucs offside penalties at the end of the third quarter allowed Denver third and four. The attack culminated in a 33-yard field goal by Lutz, making the game 23-7. The Bucs offense followed with a turnover on downs after a sack by Mayfield on second down and another takedown by the Broncos defense on fourth down as Mayfield attempted to evade pressure.

Tampa Bay’s defense then managed to keep the Broncos within three after Tyler Badie brought Denver to the Tampa Bay 32-yard line with a 43-yard gain through the middle. Lutz sank a 43-yard run to extend the lead to 26-7. Just before the two-minute warning, a disastrous series occurred for the Bucs. Mayfield was sacked on the second attempt and on the third attempt, a fumble by Cade Otton was recovered by Denver’s Brandon Jones. Moss knocked the ball out and Jones returned it 34 yards to the Broncos 47-yard line.