Buccaneers record watch: Week 17

The Buccaneers are set to finish up their 2019 regular season this Sunday with a home matchup against the division rival Falcons. It’s crazy how fast time flies, as it feels like just yesterday that Tampa Bay was starting its first training camp under Bruce Arians.

Things haven’t always been smooth this year, with a 2-6 start eliciting plenty of “same ol’ Bucs” reactions from a tired fan base. But the season’s second half has been a sight for sore eyes, with the young defense growing up and the offense continuing to put up points en route to a 5-2 stretch.

The Bucs will look to make it a 6-2 second half and an 8-8 season this Sunday against the 6-9 Falcons. Tampa Bay has a chance to finish at .500 — which would be its best finish since 2016 — and end up with second place in the NFC South with a win. Plus, a victory might give them some more goodwill with the fans. There’s plenty on the line for the group this week.

But as far as the individuals are concerned, there are quite a few guys who can continue to cement themselves in the franchise’s record book. Let’s see where things stand heading into Week 17.

Career Receiving Touchdowns

Cameron Brate’s 26 receiving touchdowns have him sixth in Bucs history. He needs one more to tie Mark Carrier (27) for fifth.

O.J. Howard is stuck at 12 touchdowns for his career, tying him for 19th all-time. With one more, he ties Courtney Hawkins and Mike Alstott (13) for 17th.

Career Rushing Touchdowns

With 15 touchdowns as a Buc, Peyton Barber is tied for ninth in team history. He is one away from tying Ricky Bell (16) for eighth.

Jameis Winston is tied for 14th all-time with 10 rushing scores, leaving him three away from tying LeGarrette Blount and Doug Williams (13) for 12th. That also means he is three away from tying Williams for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in franchise history.

Ronald Jones II’s seven rushing touchdowns have him needing one more to tie James Owens (8) for 16th in team history.

Career Solo Tackles

With 717 career solo tackles, Lavonte David ranks third in Bucs history. He needs 312 more to pass Ronde Barber (1,028) for second.

Single-Season Sacks*

Sunday is Shaquil Barrett’s last chance to take sole possession of the team’s single-season sacks record. He is currently tied with Warren Sapp with 16.5, so just one-half sack will do the trick.

*Sacks did not become an official stat until 1982.

Career Sacks*

Lavonte David has 22.5 sacks in his career, ranking him 14th. He needs one more to pass Lee Roy Selmon and Santana Dotson (23) for 12th and two more to take 10th from Stylez G. White and Marcus Jones (24).

*Sacks did not become an official stat until 1982.

Career Passes Defended*

Lavonte David’s 45 career passes defended have him 10 away from passing Aqib Talib (54) for fifth-most in Bucs history.

*Passes defended did not become an official stat until 1999.

Career Interceptions

With 11 interceptions in his career, Lavonte David is tied for 15th in team history. He needs one more to tie Dwight Smith, Mark Robinson and Jeris White (12) for 12th.

Single-Season Forced Fumbles

Shaquil Barrett has six forced fumbles this season, which is one off the single-season franchise record. If he gets another in Sunday’s game, he’ll share possession of the record with Broderick Thomas (1991) and Stylez G. White (2007).

Career Forced Fumbles

With a forced fumble against the Texans last week (it should have been two...), Lavonte David pushed his career total to 21 (it should be 22...). He is officially three away from tying Derrick Brooks’ franchise record (24).

Team Defensive Touchdowns

The Buccaneer defense has five touchdowns this season, which ties the franchise record. The 2019 defense can put themselves in sole possession of the record if it finds the end zone against the Falcons.

Career Games Played

Sunday will be Demar Dotson’s 130th game as a Buc, which will tie him with Brian Kelly for 11th-most in franchise history.

Lavonte David is about to play his 121st game for Tampa Bay, which will tie him with Chidi Ahanotu, Lee Roy Selmon and Jimmie Giles for 16th-most.