The Denver Broncos defense has a knack for making high-profile quarterbacks look pedestrian, and they’ll have another opportunity to do so come Sunday.
When the Broncos head down to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers, they will face their third quarterback drafted first overall in four weeks in Jameis Winston.
If the first two go-rounds were any indication of what’s to come for Winston on Sunday, he could be in for a long day.
Winston got off to a hot start to the season, throwing for 281 yards, four touchdowns and only one interception in the Buccaneers’ win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1. Since then, Winston has only thrown four touchdowns and five interceptions to add to his opening week totals.
Winston is currently tied with Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles with six interceptions, second most in the NFL behind Ryan Fitzpatrick’s seven.
With Doug Martin ruled out, the Buccaneers are more than likely going to rely on Winston’s arm. The Broncos should be licking their chops.
Out of the last five quarterbacks the Broncos have faced, they have shut down two Super Bowl champions in Ben Roethlisberger and Tom Brady, last year’s NFL MVP in Cam Newton, and Andrew Luck and Andy Dalton who have five Pro Bowl appearances between them.
What are they going to do to Winston?
Jameis Winston currently leads the NFL in passing attempts per game. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips better be ready to let them — Von Miller and the rest of the Broncos’ pass rushers — loose on Sunday, and the “No Fly Zone” better be ready for the ball.
Winston has stayed relatively clean in the three games he’s played in so far, only taking five sacks. Von Miller happens to lead the NFL with five sacks of his own. With Shane Ray coming off of a three-sack game of his own, Winston could be in for a long day.
A pass-happy Winston could lead to a big moment for Broncos’ cornerback Aqib Talib on Sunday. Talib, Drafted by the Buccaneers back in 2008, could surpass elite company with another pick-six. With one more pick-six, Talib’s 10 would make him the player with the third most pick-sixes in the history of the NFL.
If the Broncos can play like they have played for the last six games, there is no reason they won’t be 4-0 come Monday.
They’ll be able to check one more high-profile quarterback off their list as well.