The Broncos make their first-ever appearance at Raymond James Stadium and their first regular-season appearance in Tampa since 1981 as this interconference setting is renewed for just the fifth time.

Denver owns a 3-1 edge in this series, posting a 27-23 Sunday night victory at Mile High Stadium in 1996 in the most recent encounter between the clubs.

The Broncos' lone previous regular-season visit to Tampa resulted in a 24-7 victory in 1981

Numbers: Including playoffs, Broncos RB Terrell Davis has scored at least one touchdown in 31 of HIS last 40 contests dating back to '97. In five NFL seasons (63 regular-season games) from 1995-99, Broncos RB Terrell Davis has rushed for 6,553 yards (104.0 YPG) and 57 touchdowns.

In their last three games dating back to '98, the Buccaneers' defense has given up just 504 total yards (168.0 YPG) and 22 points and has not allowed an offensive touchdown in each of those 3 contests. Including playoffs, after throwing just one touchdown pass and 10 interceptions (3 returned for scores) during Tampa Bay's 0-5 start in '96, Buccaneers' QB Trent Dilfer has thrown 57 TD passes and 45 INTs (7 returned for scores) in his last 47 outings (25-22). Including playoffs (1996-99), Dilfer has thrown 55 interceptions in his last 52 games, 10 of those returned for touchdowns. The Buccaneers have returned 1,386 kickoffs in their 24-year history (1976-99) and have never scored a touchdown on a kickoff return. They have limited the opposition to 300 or fewer yards in 31 of their last 44 regular-season contests dating back to '96. Tampa Bay has forced 19 turnovers in nine wins, eight turnovers in nine losses dating back to '98.

Things To Look For: Despite the retirement of QB John Elway, this is certainly not what Mike Shanahan had in mind when it came to defending his two-time championship. And now the hardly-confident Broncos head to Tampa to face the DT Warren Sapp and a Buccaneers' defensive unit that is looking very fearsome these days. If Buccaneers' QB Trent Dilfer can keep his head on straight, Denver is in big trouble.

Etc.: The Broncos are 0-2 for the first time since 1994 and just the third time in the last 32 years (1968-99)...Including Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII, Broncos are 13-5 vs. NFC teams under head coach Mike Shanahan dating back to 1995 (4-1 in '98).

Since 1997 (including playoffs), the Bucs are 7-10 vs. NFC Central rivals and 13-6 vs. the rest of the NFL...Buccaneers are 5-21 lifetime vs. current AFC West teams. The Buccaneers are 23-46 lifetime in interconference games (2-2 in '98).