Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Akeem Spence (97) and defensive tackle Clinton McDonald (98) tackle Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
By Greg Auman, The Sports Xchange
TAMPA, Fla. — The Denver Broncos converted two Aqib Talib interceptions into touchdowns but lost quarterback Trevor Siemian to a left shoulder injury in an easy 27-7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
Siemian get hurt in the second quarter, but rookie Paxton Lynch played well in his place, throwing for 170 yards and a touchdown for the Broncos (4-0).
The Bucs (1-3) lost their third straight after a season-opening win in Atlanta.
The game was suspended for 86 minutes due to nearby lightning midway through the fourth quarter.
The Broncos led 17-7 at the half despite producing just 123 yards of total offense, with Talib’s interceptions of Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston setting up short fields and Denver touchdowns.
Talib’s first pick, on Winston’s first pass, set up an 11-yard touchdown from Siemian to Demaryius Thomas. The Bucs answered with a 13-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 7-yard Winston touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7.
The next Talib pick, also deep in Bucs territory, set up a 1-yard C.J. Anderson touchdown run for a 14-7 lead.
After Siemian’s injury, Lynch entered and completed passes of 16 and 18 yards in the final minute of the half to set up a Brandon McManus field goal.
Lynch added his first career touchdown pass, connecting with Emmanuel Sanders from 5 yards out for a 27-7 lead in the fourth quarter. He finished 14 of 24 for 170 yards in a little more than a half of work.
The Bucs lost three players to injury during the game — Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy left the game with a calf injury in the second quarter, and tight end Brandon Myers (hip) and rookie defensive end Noah Spence (shoulder) also exited and did not return. The Bucs had four players miss the game with existing injuries, including running back Doug Martin and defensive end Robert Ayers.
Winston failed to throw for 200 yards for just the third time in his 20 NFL games, finishing with 179 yards on 17-of-35 passing.
NOTES: Broncos QB Trevor Siemian connected on five of seven passes for 68 yards and a touchdown before getting hurt. … Denver WR Demaryius Thomas caught six passes for 94 yards, while WR Emmanuel Sanders finished with eight catches for 88 yards. … Tampa Bay TE Cameron Brate made five receptions for 67 yards, and WR Mike Evans added five catches for 59 yards. … Denver wound up with a 307-215 edge in total yards.
