Bucs Record Watch 2022: Week 18 vs. Falcons

Before the season, it felt like a foregone conclusion that the Bucs won the NFC South for a second straight season. But as the season progressed, that started to feel more and more in the air. But they finally closed out the division last week with a come-from-behind victory over the Panthers.

Now Tampa Bay heads to Atlanta to wrap up the regular season before the playoffs begin next week. Given that they are tied to the number 4 seed anyway, the Bucs have little to play for in Week 18. Naturally, they want to win the game to finish above .500. This would ensure that quarterback Tom Brady maintains his spotless record of finishing above .500 every year. It would also give Todd Bowles’ team a three-game winning streak heading into Wild Card Weekend.

But besides a 9-8 record and momentum, what else can the Bucs achieve in their season finale? There are plenty of milestones at stake for many of the top guys on the team. Last week, Michael Evans broke 1,000 receiving yards for the ninth straight season, Chris Godwin tied himself for second-most single-season receptions in team history and Rachaad White passed Doug Martin for second-most receptions by a running back Bucs rookie.

What’s on the agenda for Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium? Let’s get into it.

Team

The 2022 Bucs are three sacks away from passing the 2004 Bucs (45.0) for fifth in a single season in franchise history. With five more, they pass the 2019 and 2021 teams (47.0) for third place.

Tom Brady

With 262 passing yards remaining, Brady will pass Vinny Testaverde (14,820) for second in team history. If he plays against the Falcons long enough to throw for 390 yards, he will break the 5,000-yard mark for the third time in his career.

Brady needs just nine more completions to pass himself (485 in 2021) for the NFL single-season record.

Leonard Fournet

Fournette is just one rushing touchdown from tying Ronald Jones II (18) for eighth in team history.

With another receiving touchdown, Fournette will tie Adger Armstrong, Michael Pittman and Charles Sims (six) for fourth by running back in franchise history. He would also tie Sims (four in 2015) for most by a runback of Bucs in a single season.

Rachaad White

White is all number 2 in Bucs history when it comes to receiving from a running back rookie. He would need a massive day of 16 catches to break Mike Alstott’s record. Alstott caught 65 passes as a rookie in 1996.

Michael Evans

After putting up 18 points against Carolina last week, Evans needs just three more to pass Michael Husted (502) for second in team history.

Evans will begin his 137th game as a Buc on Sunday, tying Mike Alstott for sixth in franchise history.

Chris Godwin

Godwin needs one touchdown of any kind to tie Jimmie Giles (34) for fourth most touchdowns in Bucs history. Another receiving touchdown would tie him with Cameron Brate (33) for third all-time.

With nine catches last week, Godwin tied his score of 98 last year. That’s good for second in a single season by a Tampa Bay receiver, and he needs nine on Sunday to break Keyshawn Johnson’s franchise record. He caught 106 passes in 2001.

To top it off, Godwin needs just 32 more yards to break 1,000 for the second straight season and third time in his career.

Cameron Brate

Brate needs one more touchdown to tie Jimmie Giles (34) for fourth most total touchdowns in team history. Another receiving score would put him tied with Giles (34) for second highest in franchise history.

Brate also needs seven receptions to tie Giles (279) for the most tight end in Bucs history.

Cade Otto

Otton is just one reception away from passing Alex Smith (41 in 2005) for second by a Bucs rookie tight end.

Will Holston

Sunday marks Gholston’s 153rd career game, leaving him five behind Mike Alstott (158) for eighth in team history.

Lavonte David

David plays his 166th game and makes his 166th start as a Buc, leaving him 17 behind Paul Gruber (183) for fourth most games played and third most starts in team history.

With 4.5 sacks remaining, David will pass Jason Pierre-Paul and Brad Culpepper (33) for eighth in franchise history. He also needs five passes defensed to tie Carlton Davis and Donnie Abraham (64) for fourth in franchise history.

James Dean

Dean needs one pass defended to get Brent Grimes (41) ninth in team history.

Ryan Succop

Succop is three field goals away from passing Matt Bryant (32 in 2008) and Martin Gramatica (32 in 2002) for most by a Bucs kicker in a single season.