Broncos...16 Buccaneers...13

DENVER -- Jay Cutler guided a patient Denver Broncos offense to a 16-13 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who lost quarterback Brian Griese on a cornerback blitz in the third quarter Sunday.

Griese, making his first visit to Invesco Field since his five frustrating years in Denver as John Elway’s successor, took a blindside hit from Champ Bailey as he released a pass late in the third quarter. He stayed down for a minute and was helped to the sideline.

Griese was replaced by the more mobile Jeff Garcia, but the Broncos (4-1) also hounded him, knocking him down several times.

Garcia did lead the Buccaneers (3-2) on a 13-play, 90-yard drive, hitting Ike Hilliard from seven yards to cut Denver’s lead to 16-13 with 2:02 left.

Quoteworthy: “Honest to God, why work on your kickoff return when you come here?” -- Jon Gruden, Buccaneers coach, on Broncos kicker Matt Prater, who had four touchbacks