TAMPA, Fla. – In a season in which they are paying homage to the “Orange Crush” defense of 1977 and twice wearing throwback uniforms from then, the Broncos on Sunday made those guys proud.
In a 26-7 upset of Tampa Bay at Raymond James Stadium, Denver had a resounding seven sacks of quarterback Baker Mayfield.
“We all work together, and we all feed off each other, so once somebody gets one, we all try to get one,’’ outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman said after the Broncos (1-2) got their first win of the season.
Tillman, who signed off the practice squad last Wednesday, had two sacks in his first NFL game. Getting one apiece were defensive linemen Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers, outside linebackers Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto and safety Devon Key.
“That’s what we talk about, being the most physical team on the field and that’s what we were,’’ Franklin-Myers said.
Franklin-Myers, whose grandfather died of the cancer, had said before the season he would donate $1,000 to the Sarcoma Foundation of America for each sack this year. He got his first one early in the third quarter.
“I’m thankful for my teammates,’’ he said. “(Cooper) bulled the tackle into the quarterback and I made a routine play routine and that’s what I’m supposed to do.”
Broncos coach Sean Payton said defensive backs also played a key role in the sacks.
“We made (Mayfield) hold it some and that’s a credit to coverage,’’ he said.
Cornerback Pat Surtain II had a top-notch game following Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans and held him to just two catches for 17 yards. And a confused Mayfield completed 25 of 33 passes for just 163 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Badie comes up big
During Sunday’s game, a team official said the last name of Broncos running back Tyler Badie should be pronounced “Buh-day” rather “Bay-D.” The latter pronunciation had been used by many since Badie joined the team for the final game of the 2022 season and while being on the practice squad last season and this one.
Badie was elevated from the squad on Saturday for a second straight game, and he finished with 70 yards on nine carries. Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin said after the game his teammate “doesn’t mind” how his name is pronounced.
As for Badie’s showing, McLaughlin loved what he saw.
“That dude’s a great, tremendous competitor,’’ McLaughlin said. “He’s a great brother to me. He works hard. … He goes out and when his number is called that’s what he’s going to do. ... I’m very happy for him and he’s going to be doing it all year.”
Badie had one carry for 16 yards in the second quarter of Denver’s previous game against Pittsburgh, but never got another attempt in the 13-6 loss. Through the third quarter Sunday, he had two carries for seven yards.
But the Broncos turned to him in the fourth quarter as they sought to run out the clock. He had seven carries for 63 yards in the quarter, including a 43-yard jaunt.
“(Badie) had been practicing well and there were a handful of plays designed with his name on it,’’ Payton said. “Then he’s running well. So, he gets some other plays.”
Badie’s strong showing came while starter Javonte Williams had another dismal outing on the ground. Williams had just 12 yards on five carries and lost a fumble in the second quarter.
McLaughlin also issues. He had just five carries for seven yards but did have a 1-yard touchdown run around right end on fourth-and-goal at the 1 to give the Broncos a 14-0 lead late in the first quarter.
Offensive line steps up
Denver’s offensive linemen were much maligned in the first two weeks of the season. They were much better Sunday.
Quarterback Bo Nix wasn’t sacked. The Broncos rolled up 352 yards of total offense, including 136 on the ground.
“We played just simple football,’’ said left tackle Garett Bolles. “We played with our technique and our mentality.”
At right tackle, Alex Palczewski looked good. The second-year man made his first NFL start in place of Mike McGlinchey, placed on injured reserve last week with a knee injury.
Humphrey thrilled with signing
Broncos wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey was excited Saturday to be signed off the practice squad to the 53-man roster.
“I’m always prepared, and it came,’’ said Humphrey, who was signed after outside linebacker Baron Browning was put on injured reserve with a left foot injury. “I’m grateful for it. It shows that (Payton) trusts me and the things that I can do to help this team win games.”
In his first game on the active roster this season, Humphrey had six catches for 37 yards. He had been elevated off the practice squad for the first two games and has 10 receptions for 87 yards this season.
Briefly
Rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele, who said Friday he suffered a broken rib in the Sept. 8 opener at Seattle, was inactive for the second straight game. Vele had said he might not be active. Also inactive were safety JL Skinner, who was ruled out Friday with an ankle injury, quarterback Zach Wilson, running back Blake Watson, defensive lineman Eyimoa Uwazurike, cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine and tight end Lucas Krull. …. Franklin, who replaced Vele as active for the second straight game, had his first two NFL catches for 11 yards. … Rookie tackle Frank Crum was active for the first time. … The Broncos stayed Sunday night in Tampa and will fly Monday to West Virginia, where they will practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at The Greenbriar in White Sulphur Springs. The team is doing that due to next Sunday playing at the New York Jets in their second straight game in the Eastern Time Zone. “It will be a normal (practice) week, obviously on the road,’’ Payton said.
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