Even when playoff time came around, there was a long period when the Bucks weren’t even on anyone’s mind nationally. But for the past four years, they’ve forced their way into the conversation during the NFL playoffs. In fact, since returning to the postseason in 2020, the Bucks have the most playoff wins in the NFC (six). They trail only the Chiefs (8) in that span.
Most playoff wins in NFC since 2020 (6)!! ️ pic.twitter.com/kelhotoRWx
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 16, 2024
Tampa Bay avoided a first-round exit for the second straight year with a win over Philadelphia in the NFC wild-card round on Monday. And perhaps more unusually, the team booked his third appearance in the NFC divisional round in the past four years. In their previous appearance in this round, the Bucs suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Rams, but in the round before that they defeated the Saints, clinching a spot in Super Bowl LV.
Bucks ILB Lavonte David and HC Todd Bowles – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
This time, the Bucks will travel to Detroit to face a passionate Lions team that feels destined to advance further into the playoffs. But Tampa Bay is used to the underdog mentality, has embraced it for weeks, and thrived in it last weekend. A trip to the NFC Championship Game is on the line at Ford Field. The winner of Sunday’s game will face the winner of Saturday night’s 49ers-Packers game for a spot in the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, the season is over for the loser.
Beyond the most important bets on this game Sunday, there are several possibilities for the Bucks to reach a playoff milestone. As the team has been a regular in the postseason for the past four years, some of the team’s core players, and some new players, have found themselves chasing history.
last week, Lavonte David passed Shelton Qualls for third-most playoff tackles in franchise history and passed teammate Devin White for second-most tackles. Meanwhile, Chris Godwin passed Leonard Fournette for the second-most receptions in team playoff history.
Now, let’s take a look at the situation heading into the NFC divisional round.
baker mayfield

Bucks QB Baker Mayfield – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Mayfield made Bucs playoff history with his 337-yard performance against the Eagles. Tampa Bay needs to win on Sunday for him to continue moving up the standings — or he’ll have to bring the team back next year to do that — but he’ll pass Brad Johnson (872 yards) for second place in the playoffs. There are 536 passing yards left to go, one of the most passing yards in franchise history.
Mayfield is also two passing touchdowns shy of tying Johnson (five) for second in Bucs playoff history.
mike evans
Evans is two touchdowns away from tying Leonard “Playoff Lenny” Fournette (six) for the second-most touchdowns from scrimmage in Bucs playoff history. His three total touchdowns are tied with Mike Alstott (seven) for the franchise record.
Evans is also 11 yards from scrimmage away from passing Leonard Fournette (572 yards) and setting a new Bucs record for playoff yards from scrimmage.
chris godwin
Godwin scored a touchdown late in Monday’s win over the Eagles. That means he needs one more receiving touchdown to pass Cameron Brate, Antonio Brown and Keenan McCardell (two) for third place in Bucs playoff history. He also ranks second behind Rob Gronkowski (three times).

Bucks WR Chris Godwin – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Godwin is also eight scrimmage yards away from passing Keyshawn Johnson (375) for the fifth-most scrimmage yards in franchise postseason history. He needs 19 more yards from scrimmage to pass Warrick Dunn (387 yards) for fourth place, but 135 more yards would put him ahead of Mike Alstott (502 yards) for third place.
In terms of receiving yards, Godwin needs 14 more to pass Keyshawn Johnson (375) for second place in Bucs playoff history.
Shaq Barrett
Barrett needs 1.5 more sacks to tie Warren Sapp (5.5 sacks) for second place in Bucks playoff history*. Two more sacks would surpass Sapp, and three more would tie Simeon Rice (7.0) for the most in team history.
*Sachs was officially appointed in 1982.
antwone winfield jr.
Winfield needs one more forced fumble to tie Simeon Rice and Warren Sapp (3) for the most in Bucks playoff history.
With four more tackles, Winfield will pass John Lynch (46) for the fifth-most tackles in team playoff history. This is a new record for a Bucs defensive back.
*Since StatsPass data became available in 1994