Upon Further Review: Broncos - Buccaneers Defensive Preview

DE's: Michael Bennett, Daniel Te'o-Nesheim

DT's: Gerald McCoy, Roy Miller

OLB's: Lavonte David, Adam Hayward

MLB: Mason Foster

CB's: E.J Biggers, Leonard Johnson

FS: Ronde Barber

SS: Mark Barron

Buccaneers Defensive Rankings:

Overall Defense: 30th

Passing Defense: 32nd

Rushing Defense: 1st

Scoring: 18th

Sacks: 28th

Broncos Defensive Rankings:

Overall Defense: 4th

Pass Defense: 5th

Rush Defense: 9th

Scoring Defense: 7th

Sacks: 1st

Defensive Line

Buccaneers:

Tampa Bays D-Line does have some talent. Leading the team in sacks is veteran DE Michael Bennett with 7 sacks and also 27 tackles. In the middle former 1st round pick Gerald McCoy has 20 tackles and 3 sacks. DE Daniel Te'o-Nesheim has 31 tackles and 2 sacks and DT Roy Miller has 20 tackles. Adding 2 sacks is 2nd year player Da'Quan Bowers. The Bucs DL needs to get after and disrupt Peyton Manning if they want any success sunday. If their secondary lives up to their 32nd ranking, the Bucs front seven will really need to step up.

Broncos:

Leading the way for the Broncos front four is Elvis Dumervil. On the year Dumervil has 44 tackles and 8 sacks. The Broncos need him to step up and get after QB Josh Freeman. Rookie DE Derek Wolfe has 29 tackles and 3 sacks. In the middle of the Broncos D-Line, Justin Bannan leads the way with 35 tackles, and Kevin Vickerson has 32 tackles and also has 2 sacks. With the Bucs being a run heavy team, look to see alot of Robert Ayers in the game. On the year, Ayers has 12 tackles and 1 sack. This unit will need to have a good game sunday afternoon. The Bucs love giving the ball to Doug Martin, and Martin has shown the be dominant at times, so the Broncos will have their hands full in stopping Martin.

Linebackers:

Buccaneers:

I really like the Bucs two young linebackers Mason Foster and Lavonte David. Both were draft favorites of mine in recent years. Both have lived up to their expectations as well. On the year rookie Lavonte David leads the team with 98 tackles. Mason Foster is second with 74 tackles and 2 sacks, and Adam Hayward has 12 tackles. This unit will look to control the Broncos runners and limit their success. Like i said earlier, i really like this Bucs young LB core, will be interesting to see if they continue to be a solid pairing this sunday.

Broncos:

Leading the way for the Broncos in Von Miller. Miller leads the team with 14 sacks, and is tied for the league lead for tackles for a loss with 24. Miller has been a stud and is living up to his potential. Someone who has also been impressive is Wesley Woodyard. "Woody" as i like to call him leads the team with 97 tackles and, has 4 sacks and team leading 3 Ints. Both Woodyard and Miller are one of the reasons why this Broncos defense has been as solid as it has. In the middle veteran Keith Brooking is holding his own with 37 tackles. Rookie Danny Trevathan has 22 tackles and 1 sack and DJ Williams has 4 tackles. The Broncos will need this unit to have a great game to stop rookie Doug Martin from gashing them like Jamaal Charles did last week.

Secondary:

Buccaneers:

This unit isn't very good. They're ranked 32nd in the league and have given up many big plays this year. They are also with out starting Cornerback Eric Wright who has recently been suspended 4 games. Starting in his place is EJ Biggers who has 29 tackles, 1 sack and 1 Ints on the year. Rookie Leonard Johnson has 24 tackles and 3 Ints. At safety, veteran Ronde Barber is having a solid year. Barber has 62 tackles, 1 sack and a team leading 4 Ints. Barber has gained 160 yards and 1 TD after these Ints. So Manning has to be careful when passing in Barber direction. Rookie Mark Barron is having a solid rookie year too. On the year Barron has 62 tackles and 1 Int. This unit has talent, but is weak at CB spot. Look for Manning to take advantage of this weakness.

Broncos:

Veteran Champ Bailey will have his hands full with long time foe Vincent Jackson this week. Jackson and Bailey have a long history against each other, so this will be a fun matchup to watch. On the year Bailey has 48 tackles and 1 Int. Chris Harris who has done a great job starting in place of Tracy Porter has 43 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 2 Ints. Slot corner Tony Carter who has really stepped up has 19 tackles and 2 Ints, and incumbent starter Tracy Porter has 21 tackles and 1 Int. At safety, veteran Mike Adams has played really well. On the year Adams has 61 tackles and 1 sack. Rahim Moore has also been playing really well i believe. On the year Moore has 53 tackles and 1 Int. Look for Moore to have alot of playing time this sunday, because i believe he's the Broncos best run stopping safety. Jim Leonhard in limited playing time has 12 tackles and 2 Ints. This unit has been playing very well, so lets hope they keep up their solid play.