A disappointing loss to the Saints in New Orleans took attention away from a terrific game by wide receiver Chris Godwin. Consistently putting the team on his back with clutch, drive-sustaining receptions and chunk plays, Godwin kept the Bucs in this game with his biggest performance of the season.

Godwin’s first quarter touchdown was a crossing route across the middle of the field. He just found the soft spot in the defense and Tom Brady hit him. The second effort he showed to get into the end zone was most impressive. Spinning off of a tackler, Godwin falls backwards across the goal line for the first score of the game.

On the drive resulting in his score, Godwin had a huge 25-yard gain. Working out of the slot, Godwin utilizes a double move on the crossing route on C.J. Gardner-Johnson. The veteran receiver finished the play with a stiff arm to pick up a few extra yards, violently tossing Gardner-Johnson.

Godwin had two other catches for 20+ yards in the game. A deep pass down the right sideline was hauled in for a 20-yard gain on a back shoulder throw. Later in the game, Godwin turned a six-yard catch into a 44-yard gain, breaking tackles from defenders and turning upfield. More than just the touchdown catch and big gain, Godwin came away with clutch catch after clutch catch down the stretch.

Making History

Godwin finished the game with eight catches for 140 yards and a score. He had a big day while climbing the Bucs record books. Godwin surpassed the 100-yard receiving mark for the 14th time in his career. That tied Kevin House (14) for the third-most team history. It was the fourth highest yardage output of his career.

Chris Godwin also tied Joey Galloway (28) for the fifth-most touchdown receptions in team history, while tying Cameron Brate and Joey Galloway for the sixth-most total touchdowns. He also surpassed Kevin House (286) for the seventh-most receptions with the franchise.

After the game, Brady was asked about his connection with Godwin.

“He’s phenomenal,” Brady said. “Chris is an incredible player. Got to keep getting him the ball. He played a great game.”

Godwin leads the team with 660 yards, putting him on pace for over 1,200 yards on the season. The Bucs have a bye week before heading to FedEx Field to face the Washington Football Team.