InSpin

Broncos -4 vs. Bucs

A couple of weeks ago this game would have been no contest and an easy victory for a Broncos team that seemed destined to make a Super Bowl run. Denver could still be on its way to Tampa Bay, but after being kept relatively in check offensively against Kansas City last week, they could be in trouble.

Jay Culter could arguably be the best quarterback in the NFL right now. With Tom Brady out for the season and Peyton Manning not playing like Peyton Manning, Culter has the edge in my book. The guy just seems to make the right decision at the right time and is one of the most accurate quarterbacks ever to play the game. The problem is that his defense doesn’t back up the points the young quarterback puts on the board.

The Bucs on the other hand are winning pretty much under the radar. They are not all that great on offense (a lot of turnovers) and their defense isn’t all that special either, but they continue to beat good teams. First it was Chicago and then it was the Packers that fell victim to the Bucs. For some reason ex-Broncos quarterback Brian Griese has this team at 3-1 (3-0 since he took the starting job).

The Achilles heel for the Denver Broncos is their defense. They just can’t stop anyone right now despite having one of the best defensive players in the game in Champ Bailey. If Griese can keep the turnovers to a minimum and keep throwing touchdown passes like he has, the Bucs have a shot at pulling off the upset.

InSpin.com

Bucs -1 1/2 vs. Packers

The Brett Favre era in Green Bay Packers is officially over, but the future of the franchise has never looked brighter in the hands of the Pack's starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Even though the Packers suffered their first loss of the season to the extremely talented Dallas Cowboys last week it is becoming more and more apparent that the Packers faith in their young quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the off season during the whole Brett Favre ordeal is really starting to pay off. Being the first quarterback in the post-Favre era is no easy task, but Rodgers has his squad off to a 2-1 start and his high powered offense firing on all cylinders.

Although their records are identical at 2-1, the same cannot be said for Tampa Bay Bucs offense. The Bucs may be confident with their new starting quarterback Brian Griese after 67 pass attempts by the NFL veteran in last week's overtime victory over the Chicago Bears, but with a secondary like the Packers that is jam packed with young talent and experienced veterans the Bucs will be forced to mix in more of a ground attack if they want to even have a chance to compete with Rodgers and company.

If Green Bay's offense starts clicking early like it has so far this season by putting points with almost every possession lead by Aaron Rodgers' surprisingly veteran-like decision making and the Packers defense can keep Tampa Bay's air assault in check, it should be a fairly easy victory for the Packers, but if Griese can pull his boys on offense together like he did last weekend (minus the interceptions) the Bucs may have the chance of pulling off the upset of this NFC powerhouse.

InSpin.com