After getting again on observe in Week 4 with a powerful 33-16 win over the Eagles, the 3-1 Bucs shall be trying to create some early separation within the NFC South race once they face the 2-2 Falcons on Thursday Night time Soccer in Atlanta.
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Whereas that is Tampa Bay’s NFC South opener, Atlanta is coming off its personal NFC South opener. The Falcons beat the Saints, 26-24, in Week 4 on a late 58-yard discipline objective from Younghoe Koo, they usually’ll be trying to defend their dwelling turf in primetime as Todd Bowles leads his workforce into battle in search of a win inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the second straight yr. It needs to be a enjoyable begin to the NFL’s Week 5 slate, and it’s a giant alternative for the Bucs to construct some extra momentum and get to 4-1 earlier than having an opportunity to get a bit more healthy with a protracted break earlier than their Week 6 sport in New Orleans.
In fact, with this being a Thursday evening sport, each groups are on shorter relaxation. Tampa Bay shall be with out some key starters as soon as once more, and Atlanta will get proper sort out Kaleb McGary again whereas concurrently lacking linebacker Troy Andersen, who had a pick-six in final week’s win.
As traditional, there are different storylines to observe on this Week 5 contest outdoors of the NFC South implications, and that’s the explanation we’re right here proper now. As we do each week right here on PewterReport.com, it’s now time to try what else is on the road throughout this week’s sport. In fact, we’re speaking about among the data and milestones that some Bucs are transferring towards.
Final week, Mike Evans turned the Bucs’ all-time main scorer whereas Lavonte David notched his 1,five hundredth sort out and joined Derrick Brooks as the one gamers in franchise historical past to succeed in that mark. David additionally handed Chidi Ahanotu for seventh-most sacks in workforce historical past. Chris Godwin additionally made some historical past, turning into simply the second Buc — becoming a member of Evans — to cross over 7,000 profession receiving yards.
Right here’s the place issues stand heading into Week 5:
Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield has eight passing touchdowns by 4 video games this season. With two extra in opposition to the Falcons, he would go Jameis Winston (9 in 2016) for the fifth-most by a Buccaneer by 5 video games of a season. 4 passing touchdowns would transfer him forward of Winston (11 in 2019) for fourth-most by a Buc by 5 video games, whereas 5 passing scores would put him forward of Tom Brady (12 in 2020) and Brad Johnson (12 in 2023) for second-most by the primary 5 video games of a marketing campaign.
Final week, Mayfield formally handed Craig Erickson (34) for ninth-most passing touchdowns in Bucs historical past. He now has 36, that means he’s 26 away from passing Steve DeBerg (61) for eighth-most.
With 125 passing yards in opposition to Atlanta, Mayfield will transfer forward of Jeff Garcia (5,152) for Tenth-most in franchise historical past.
Mike Evans
Mike Evans is about to play his 159th sport for the Bucs, passing Mike Alstott (158) for ninth-most in Bucs historical past. He’ll even be one sport away from tying Tony Mayberry (160) for eighth-most.
With 11 receiving yards, Evans will go Michael Irvin (11,904) for Thirtieth-most in NFL historical past, whereas 168 yards would transfer him forward of Derrick Mason (12,061) for Twenty ninth-most. He’s solely 190 yards away from passing Hines Ward (12,083) for Twenty eighth-most as nicely.
If Evans will get to 74 receiving yards on Thursday evening, he’ll cross 1,481 in his profession in opposition to the Falcons. That may give him essentially the most receiving yards of any participant in opposition to one workforce, although he’d be breaking his personal mark contemplating his 1,480 receiving yards in opposition to the Panthers is presently essentially the most anybody has in opposition to a single workforce.
Evans can also be one receiving landing away from tying Terrell Owens (12) for the second-most by any participant in opposition to Atlanta. Jerry Rice presently holds the document for essentially the most at 25.
Additionally on the landing entrance, Evans is 2 receiving touchdowns away from tying Don Hutson (99) for Eleventh-most in league historical past. And with two touchdowns of any form, Evans will develop into the twenty sixth participant in NFL historical past to succeed in 100 complete touchdowns in a profession. That may additionally tie him with Frank Gore, Franco Harris and Curtis Martin (100) for Twenty third-most in NFL historical past.
And eventually, Evans is 106 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns away from crossing the 12,000-receiving yard and 100-receiving landing marks. He would develop into simply the Tenth participant in NFL historical past to take action, becoming a member of Tim Brown, Chris Carter, Larry Fitzgerald, Tony Gonzalez, Marvin Harrison Sr., Steve Largent, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens and Jerry Rice. That’s eight Professional Soccer Corridor of Famers and one future Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer (Fitzgerald).
Chris Godwin
With a giant 140-yard evening in opposition to the Falcons, Chris Godwin would go Bruce Hill (461 in 1988) for the fifth-most by a Buc by 5 video games of a season. A fair greater 163-yard evening would transfer him forward of Mike Evans (484 in 2018) for fourth-most by 5 video games of a season.
With 5 catches, Godwin can tie Mike Evans (32 in 2016) and go James Wilder (31 in 1985) for the fourth-most by 5 video games in franchise historical past, whereas six catches would see him tie himself (33 in 2019) and Evans (33 in 2018) whereas passing Evans (32 in 2016) for second-most by 5 video games of a Tampa Bay season.
Will Gholston
Thursday shall be Will Gholston’s 174th sport with the Bucs, leaving him 10 away from passing Paul Gruber (183) for fifth-most in franchise historical past.
Lavonte David
Lavonte David made some historical past final week together with his 1,five hundredth sort out, in addition to his two sacks that gave him 35.5 in his profession (sixth-most in franchise historical past). He additionally notched his Thirtieth profession pressured fumble, becoming a member of Khalil Mack as the one lively gamers with 30+ of their careers. David now wants 4 extra sacks to go David Logan (39.0 for sixth-most in Bucs historical past.
David can also be 9 passes defensed away from passing Carlton Davis III (73) for fourth-most in workforce historical past.
Thursday evening shall be David’s 186th sport with Tampa Bay, leaving him 5 away from passing Dave Moore (190) for third-most in franchise historical past.
Jamel Dean
Jamel Dean wants seven extra passes defensed to go Aqib Talib (54) for seventh-most in workforce historical past.
Chase McLaughlin
With two extra 50+ yard discipline objectives, Chase McLaughlin will tie Martin Gramatica for second-most in Buccaneer historical past.