The Bucs did really well to get back to .500 by their bye week, winning back-to-back games over the Rams and Seahawks to do so. But that wasn’t the “they’ve turned the corner” moment that it might’ve appeared to be. They’ve gone up and down ever since, losing to the Browns, beating the Saints and then getting demolished by the 49ers.

Now, Tampa Bay would love to go back up after a hideous showing in San Francisco last week. It’ll be tough to do so, though, as the team returns to Raymond James Stadium to host the 9-4 Cincinnati Bengals. As mediocre — and often bad — as the Bucs have been, they somehow still lead the NFC South and control their own destiny. Beating the Bengals in Week 15 and taking down the Cardinals on Christmas night would be big, but those final two games against the Panthers and Falcons will decide the division.

Bucs NT Vita Vea – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Tampa Bay will be without some key players on Sunday, with Vita Vea and Jamel Dean set to miss the game. The defense’s pass rush will be very thin as well, with Carl Nassib and Genard Avery out with injuries. Joe Tyron-Shoyinka is a game-time decision and, of course, Shaq Barrett is already out for the rest of the season. Even at full health, though, this matchup wouldn’t favor the Bucs. The Bengals are the defending AFC champions and look poised to make another run this season. Meanwhile, Todd Bowles’ team is a roller coaster and would be fortunate to even make the playoffs.

As the Bucs look for an upset win over the Bengals, there are plenty of individual milestones to keep an eye on (as there always is). Last week, Rachaad White passed Warrick Dunn and Reggie Cobb for the fourth-most receptions by a rookie running back in team history. Mike Evans passed John Lynch for seventh-most starts in franchise history, while Will Gholston passed Shelton Quarles for the ninth-most games played.

What’s on the line in Week 15? Let’s get to it.

Tom Brady

Brady needs one passing yard to pass Josh Freeman (13,534) for third-most in Bucs history. At his current pace, he won’t be able to pass Vinny Testaverde (14,820) for second-most this season, but he would be in position to do so if he returns for another year in 2023.

Brady is one win away from becoming the first player in NFL history to reach 250 regular season wins. He’s also three away from tying Doug Williams (33) for second-most by a quarterback in team history.

Leonard Fournette

Fournette is one rushing touchdown away from tying Ronald Jones II (18) for eighth-most in franchise history. On the receiving front, he is still one touchdown catch away from tying Adger Armstrong, Michael Pittman and Charles Sims (six) for fourth-most by a running back in team history. His next receiving score would also tie him with Sims (four in 2015) for the most by a Bucs running back in a single season.

With 25 more receiving yards, Fournette can pass Doug Martin (1,091) for sixth-most by a running back in franchise history.

Rachaad White

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

With five catches last week, White passed Reggie Cobb and Warrick Dunn for most receptions by a rookie running back in Tampa Bay history. He now has 40 this season, which means he needs eight more to tie James Wilder (48 in 1981) for third-most in a single season.

Mike Evans

Evans is still looking for his first touchdown since Week 4. He needs 21 points to pass Michael Husted (502) for second-most in franchise history. The veteran receiver also needs to average 48.8 receiving yards per game over the next four games to break 1,000 for the ninth straight season.

Sunday will mark Evans’ 134th career start, leaving him three behind Mike Alstott (137) for sixth-most in team history.

Chris Godwin

Godwin needs one touchdown to tie Cameron Brate (33) for fifth-most total touchdowns in team history. He also needs one more receiving score to pass Kevin House (31) for fourth-most all-time.

Cameron Brate

Bucs TE Cam Brate – Photo by: USA Today

Brate is one touchdown of any kind from tying Jimmie Giles (34) for fourth-most total touchdowns in franchise history, plus his next receiving score will move him ahead of Giles (34) for second-most receiving touchdowns all-time.

Brate is also chasing Giles’ franchise record for receptions by a tight end (279). The Harvard man needs nine more catches to take over the top spot in Bucs history.

Cade Otton

Otton is only five catches away from tying Alex Smith (41 in 2005) for second-most receptions by a rookie tight end in franchise history.

Donovan Smith

Smith is set to make his 123rd career start on Sunday, which will tie him with Gerald McCoy (123) for 10th-most in franchise history.

Will Gholston

Gholston will play his 150th game as a Buc on Sunday, leaving him eight behind Mike Alstott (158) for eighth-most in team history.

Lavonte David

Bucs LBs Lavonte David and Devin White – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Sunday will be David’s 163rd career game, leaving him one behind John Lynch (164) for fifth-most in Bucs history. It will also be the veteran linebacker’s 163rd career start, leaving him 20 behind Paul Gruber (183) for third-most.

David — and the Bucs — could use a defensive touchdown these days. No. 54 is one away from tying David Logan and Mike Washington (four) for third-most in franchise history.

With one more sack, David will pass Logan (28.5) for 10th-most in team history. And with one pass defended, he’ll tie Carlton Davis (59) for fifth-most.

Carlton Davis

Davis needs five passes defended to tie Donnie Abraham (64) for fourth-most in team history. He also needs to keep the pass breakups coming to stave off Lavonte David, who is right behind him.