Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Denver Broncos - 9/27/20 NFL Picks and Prediction

Defensively, Tampa Bay is allowing their opponents to average 25.5 ppg on 367.0 total yards per game (84.5 rushing yds/g; 282.5 passing yds/g).

The Denver Broncos fell to 0-2 on the season after being defeated by the Pittsburgh Steelers, 26-21, this past Sunday. Denver fought back after trailing by a 17-3 margin at halftime to make it a game going in the 4th quarter, however, Pittsburgh was able to pull away after a 28-yard TD catch by Diontae Johnson gave the Steelers a 24-14 lead with 11:26 left in regulation. Denver was outgained by Pittsburgh by a 410-319 margin and committed 2 turnovers in the loss. It was a costly game for the Broncos who will be without QB Drew Lock & DE Dre’Mont Jones for the next few weeks to injury while also losing Courtland Sutton for the season with an ACL injury.

On the season, Denver is averaging 17.5 ppg on 351.5 total yards per game (105.5 rushing yds/g; 246.0 passing yds/g). Offensively, Denver has been led by QB Drew Lock who has completed 52.9% of his passes for 256 yards, 2 TD & 1 INT. Replacing Lock will be Jeff Driskel who completed 18 of 34 passes for 256 yards, 2 TD & an INT after replacing Lock this past Sunday. The Broncos backfield has been led by Melvin Gordon who has 148 yards and a TD on 34 att. Denver will most likely still be without their other RB, Phillip Lindsay, who is out with a toe injury. The leading receivers for the Broncos have been Noah Fant (9 rec, 138 yards, 2 TD), Jerry Jeudy (8 rec, 118 yards), and Tim Patrick (6 rec, 53 yards).

Defensively, Denver is allowing their opponents to average 21.0 ppg on 399.5 total yards per game (119.5 rushing yds/g; 280.0 passing yds/g).

The Buccaneers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a losing record and 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite. The Broncos are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games, however, are just 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 games in September.

Denver has played tough in two difficult games against Tennessee & Pittsburgh, however, it is going to be difficult for the Broncos moving forward as the injuries have started to pile up. Tampa Bay looked a lot better offensively against Carolina and I think their defense is underrated with their ability to put pressure on opposing QB’s. Going into Denver is always a challenge, but between the fact that Chris Godwin should be available and that I think their defense will give Jeff Driskel trouble, I am taking Tampa Bay to cover this road spread. Good Luck!