The Buccaneers, who have won two straight games since the start of the 2024 season (including an upset at Detroit last week), return to Raymond James Stadium on Sunday to take on the 0-2 Broncos. Tampa Bay is looking to improve to 3-0 heading into next week’s home game against the Eagles.
Buccaneers vs. Broncos: Live Pewter Gameday Show Sunday at 1pm ET
The Live Pewter Game Day Show is happening this Sunday. #Buccaneers Returning home to face #Broncos.
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Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Last week, the Buccaneers were undermanned, but still managed to beat the Lions, the top team in the NFC, 20-16. Todd Bowles’ team showed the rest of the league what they can do. This year’s team will not be beaten by anyone like last year’s. Tampa Bay is definitely a favorite to win, and they will go into the next game with a reason to prove it. Work on Sunday Against teams that aren’t at a high enough level.
Of course, the Buccaneers will still be a bit undermanned for this game against the Broncos, but after overcoming some key injuries in last week’s road game, they’ll want a chance to do it again in front of a hometown crowd that will surely be excited to welcome them home for a two-game homestand.
As we do each week, PewterReport.com will take a look at what else is at stake this Sunday for Ray J. Of course, we’re talking about the records and milestones some Buccaneers are aiming for. last week, Lavonte David tied with Paul Gruber for the fourth-most games played and third-most starts in franchise history.
Here’s how things stand heading into week three.
Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are looking to start a three-game winning streak for the first time since 2005 and just fifth time overall (1979, 1997, 2000, 2005).
Baker Mayfield
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Mayfield is 635 yards away from surpassing Jeff Garcia (5,152) in passing yards, which would rank 10th in Buccaneers history, and two touchdowns away from surpassing Craig Erickson (34) in passing touchdowns, which would rank ninth in franchise history.
Additionally, Mayfield’s two touchdown passes against the Broncos gave him the fourth-most passing scores by a Buccaneers quarterback through three games in a season, surpassing Tom Brady (six in 2020) and Jameis Winston (six in 2017), while his four touchdown passes would give him the third-most passing scores by a Tampa Bay quarterback through three games in a season, surpassing Winston (eight in 2016).
Mike Evans
Evans is three points away from breaking Martin Gramatica’s franchise career points record (592).
If Evans gains 51 receiving yards on Sunday, he will pass Don Maynard (11,834) for 32nd in NFL history, if he gains 58 yards he will pass Antonio Gates (11,841) for 31st, and if he gains 122 yards he will pass Michael Irvin (11,904) for 30th.
If Tampa Bay’s all-time leading receiver has two touchdown receptions on Sunday, he will tie Rob Gronkowski (four in 2021) for the most receivers through the first three games of a season with the Buccaneers (four in 2020).
If Evans scores three more receiving touchdowns, he’ll be tied with Don Hutson (99) for 11th-most in NFL history. (Note: Davante Adams is still active and has 96.) If Evans scores three total touchdowns, he’ll become the 26th player in NFL history with 100 total receiving touchdowns and will be tied with Frank Gore, Franco Harris and Curtis Martin (100) for 23rd-most in NFL history.
Sunday marked Evans’ 157th game with the Buccaneers, which puts him ninth-most in franchise history behind Mike Alstott (158).
Chris Godwin
Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin – Photo by Cliff Welch P/R
With 90 yards receiving on Sunday, Godwin would pass Bruce Hill (289 in 1988) for the Buccaneers’ fifth-most receptions through a three-game season, and with 98 yards he would surpass Mike Evans (297 in 2023) for the fourth-most receptions through a three-game season.
A total of 102 receiving yards would put him overtaking Evans (301 in 2016) for third place, while 113 receiving yards would move him overtaking DeSean Jackson (312 in 2018) for second place. Godwin would need to post an astounding 167 receiving yards to break Evans’ franchise record for most receiving yards through a three-game season (367 in 2018).
With seven catches against the Broncos, Godwin would pass Mike Evans (21 in 2016) for the third-most pass catches through a three-game season by the Buccaneers. With nine catches against Denver, he would break the franchise record held by Evans (23 in 2018) and Keyshawn Johnson (23 in 2000).
If Godwin records at least seven catches and 80 yards receiving on Sunday, he will become the first Buccaneers player in franchise history to eclipse those numbers through the first three games of a season.
Will Golston
Sunday will be Gholston’s 172nd game, moving him 12 games behind Paul Gruber (183), who is fourth most in franchise history.
Lavonte David
Buccaneers ILB Lavonte David – Photo courtesy of USA Today
David will play in his 184th game for the Buccaneers on Sunday, passing Paul Gruber (183) for the fourth-most in team history. David is seven games away from passing Dave Moore (190) for third place all-time.
It was David’s 184th appearance, surpassing Gruber (183) and ranking him behind Derrick Brooks (221) and Ronde Barber (232).
If David can get 1.5 more sacks, he will move into seventh place on the team’s all-time list, a position currently held by Chidi Ahanotu (34.5).
David is 10 passes away from passing Carlton Davis III (73) for the fourth-most passes defended in team history.
Jamel Dean
Dean needs nine more passes defended to pass Aqib Talib (54) for the seventh-most in Buccaneers history.
