Bucs Record Watch 2023: Divisional Round vs. Lions

There was a long stretch when, come playoff time, the Bucs weren’t even a thought in anyone’s mind nationally. But over the last four years, they’ve forced their way into the conversation during the NFL playoffs. In fact, since making their return to the postseason in 2020, the Bucs have the most playoff wins in the NFC (six). They trail only the Chiefs (eight) over that span.

Most playoff wins in the NFC since 2020 (six) ‼️ pic.twitter.com/kelhotoRWx

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 16, 2024

With its win over Philadelphia in the NFC Wild Card Round on Monday, Tampa Bay avoided a second straight first-round exit. And perhaps more extraordinarily, the team booked its third trip to NFC Divisional Round in the last four years. The last appearance in this round saw the Bucs lose a heartbreaker to the Rams, but the one before that saw them beat the Saints on their way to Super Bowl LV.

This time around, the Bucs will be on the road in Detroit, facing a hot Lions team that feels destined to keep its run going deeper into the playoffs. But Tampa Bay is no stranger to the underdog mentality, having embraced it for weeks and thriving in it last weekend. A trip to the NFC Championship Game is on the line at Ford Field. The winner of Sunday’s game plays the winner of Saturday night’s 49ers-Packers game for the right to go to the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, for the loser, it’s season over.

Beyond the most important stakes in this game on Sunday, there are some potential Bucs playoff milestones to be reached. Because the team has been such a fixture in the postseason over the last four years, some of the team’s core players – and a newer one – find themselves chasing history.

Last week, Lavonte David passed Shelton Quarles for third-most playoff tackles in franchise history before passing teammate Devin White for second-most. Meanwhile, Chris Godwin passed Leonard Fournette for the second-most receptions in the team’s playoff history.

Now, let’s see where things stand heading into the NFC Divisional Round.

Baker Mayfield

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

With a big 337-yard night against the Eagles, Mayfield put himself on the map in terms of Bucs playoff history. Tampa Bay will need to win Sunday for him to keep rising the ranks – or he’ll need to bring the team back next year to do so – but he is 536 passing yards away from passing Brad Johnson (872) for second-most playoff passing yards in franchise history.

Mayfield is also two passing touchdowns away from tying Johnson (5) for second-most in Bucs playoff history.

Mike Evans

Evans is two total touchdowns away from tying Leonard “Playoff Lenny” Fournette (6) for second-most touchdowns from scrimmage in Bucs playoff history. With three total touchdowns, he’ll tie Mike Alstott (7) for the franchise record.

Evans is also 11 scrimmage yards away from setting a new Bucs record for playoff yards from scrimmage, passing Leonard Fournette (572) in the process).

Chris Godwin

Godwin scored a touchdown late in Monday’s win over the Eagles, which means he needs just one more receiving touchdown to pass Cameron Brate, Antonio Brown and Keenan McCardell (2) for third-most in Bucs playoff history. He would also tie Rob Gronkowski (3) for second-most.

Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photo by: USA Today

Godwin is also eight scrimmage yards away from passing Keyshawn Johnson (375) for fifth-most in franchise postseason history. He needs 19 more yards from scrimmage to pass Warrick Dunn (387) for fourth-most, while 135 more will move him ahead of Mike Alstott (502) for third-most.

As for receiving yardage, Godwin needs 14 more yards to pass Keyshawn Johnson (375) for second-most in Bucs playoff history.

Shaq Barrett

Barrett needs 1.5 more sacks to tie Warren Sapp (5.5) for second-most in Bucs playoff history*. Two more sacks will move him ahead of Sapp, while three more will tie Simeon Rice (7.0) for the most in team history.

*Sacks became official in 1982

Antoine Winfield Jr.

Winfield needs one more forced fumble to tie Simeon Rice and Warren Sapp (3) for the most in Bucs playoff history.*

With four more tackles, Winfield can pass John Lynch (46) for fifth-most in the team’s playoff history. That would also be a new record for a Bucs defensive back.*

*Since StatsPass data became available in 1994

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