Broncos at Buccaneers first quarter recap

The Denver Broncos won the opening coin toss and, surprisingly, chose to receive the ball first to start the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . That means Baker Mayfield and the Bucs offense will get the ball to start the second half.

Bo Nix opened the game up in a two-tight end set, but found Courtland Sutton open on the back shoulder for a 22 yard gain into Bucs territory. Nix was looking deep on the next play, but dumped it off to tight end Nate Adkins for a short gain, then he did go deep for Josh Reynolds for a 31-yard gain to the Bucs 11 yard line.

After a delay of game penalty, the Broncos needed to get 15 for a first down or 16 for a touchdown. A run by Nix and a pass to Javonte Williams setup for a third and two. Nix rolled out and had a wide open lane for the touchdown run to put the Broncos up early.

Broncos 7, Bucs 0.

Nix was 4/4 for 70 yards and a three-yard touchdown run on that opening drive.

The Broncos' defense came out and stuffed the Buc's offense on their opening drive. A run for no gain, a throwaway by Baker Mayfield, and a short pass outside on third down that was stopped for a two yard gain to give the ball right back to the Broncos. Marvin Mims Jr. fielded the punt inside the 10 yard line, but was able to return it 27-yards for nice field position for Denver to start their next drive.

Denver finally went to 'emphasizing' the run game on their next drive where Javonte Williams didn't see a hole open inside and, instead, ran into a pile of bodies. He tried to bounce it outside and at least netted a three yard gain on first down. A swing pass outside to Jaleel McLaughlin went for two and on third down, Bo Nix nearly gets picked off on a hot read that Lil'Jordan Humphrey missed. That series looked a lot like the three-and-out offense we've seen from this team through the first two games.

The Buccaneers got their first first down of the game, but on their next third down Mayfield sailed a ball deep where safety Brandon Jones picked it off and returned it 36 yards to the Bucs nine yard line.

Bo Nix fumbled on the first offensive play, but he saw the Bucs were offsides and had a free play. Two runs later, the Broncos were down to the Buccaneers one yard line for a third and goal attempt. From there, Javonte Williams was stuffed at the literal goal line.

While it is clear the ball crossed the plane considering Williams was in the end zone up to his hips, there was no visual evidence showing the ball so the call stood.

The went for it anyway on a pitch outside to Jaleel McLaughlin. It looked like he was going to be stopped for a huge loss, but juked his way into the end zone for the touchdown.

Broncos 14, Bucs 0.

In an eventful first quarter, the Broncos dominated. The quarter would end with another three-and-out for the Bucs offense. Bo Nix and the Broncos offense nearly went three-and-out, but on fourth and inches Nix snuck the ball across the line near midfield for a first down. They'll have a first down to start the second quarter.