Nix runs for a touchdown and Lutz kicks 4 field goals to lead the Broncos to a 26-7 victory over the listless Buccaneers

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Bo Nix's first NFL touchdown pass has yet to happen. For now, he and the Denver Broncos will have to settle for celebrating the rookie quarterback's first professional win.

The 12th overall pick in this year's draft overcame two losses to start the season, ran for an early touchdown and avoided costly mistakes to lead the Broncos (1-2) to a 26-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

“It was a great feeling. We played really well,” Nix said. “We went out there and played at a high level, and that's how you want it to feel when you get back into the locker room. The guys were really excited. They put so much into this week. They put so much effort, time and energy into it, and that's what these moments are all about.”

Wil Lutz kicked field goals of 43, 38, 33 and 43 yards for Denver, which was expecting to start 0-3 for the second consecutive season under coach Sean Payton.

Nix completed 25 of 36 passes for 216 yards without intercepting a single pass after throwing four in his team's first two games.

“I say it and I mean it and it's so important — and I include myself and the offensive coaching staff,” Payton said. “It's our job to paint a perfect picture of this player. And if we can do that … and if we do that, this guy will become something.”

Denver's defense also helped Nix, sacking Baker Mayfield seven times and intercepting a pass from the Bucs quarterback once to set up a touchdown in the first quarter.

The Broncos also prevented two Tampa Bay Buccaneers possessions in Denver territory in the fourth quarter, stopping one tackle on a tackle attempt and forcing a fumble on the other.

The Bucs (2-1), three-time defending NFC South champions, were looking to start the season with three straight wins for the first time since 2005, but they managed just 223 yards of offense. The loss was especially disappointing for them because they had a road win against Detroit the previous week.

Mayfield completed 25 of 33 passes for 163 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown throw to Chris Godwin in the second quarter. Rookie Bucky Irving set up the touchdown with runs of 32 and 13 yards.

“There are a few things we need to look at on the tape and fix,” Mayfield said.

“It's a good lesson for our team as a whole. You have to prepare every week like you're playing in a playoff game, otherwise something like this can happen,” Mayfield added. “It's a good lesson for the young players who haven't experienced this yet, what to prepare for and how detailed we have to be.”

In 20 drives (excluding halftime) under Nix in the first two games, the Broncos scored just two touchdowns and two field goals, along with 11 punts, three interceptions and two turnovers. On Sunday, the rookie got off to a much better start – with passes of 22, 6 and 31 yards on the first three plays that put Denver ahead after the opening kickoff.

Nix capped the six-play, 70-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. Later in the first quarter, the Broncos converted Brandon Jones' interception and 37-yard return to the Tampa Bay 9 into Jaleel McLaughlin's 1-yard touchdown run to build a 14-point lead, which Lutz extended to 17-0 with a 43-yard field goal.

The Bucs dominated No. 2 draft pick Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders in Week 1. The loss to Nix dropped Tampa Bay's record against opposing rookie QBs to 11-6 since coach Todd Bowles joined the team as defensive coordinator under Bruce Arians in 2019.

“We didn't take them lightly. We didn't play well,” Bowles said. “We need to practice better and play better. That starts with me.”

Injuries

The Buccaneers played without All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) and starting DL Vita Vea (knee) and Calijah Kancey (calf), as well as RT Luke Goedeke (concussion), who were ineligible to play. … Long snapper Evan Deckers left the field in the second half with a hamstring injury.

Next

Broncos: Stay on the road to face the New York Jets next Sunday.

Buccaneers: Host Philadelphia in a rematch of an NFC wild-card duel that Tampa Bay won last January.

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In an earlier version of this story, the spelling of the first name Lutz was corrected from Will to Wil.

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