The 7-8, first-place Bucs will ring in 2023 with a massive home contest against the 6-9 Panthers on Sunday afternoon. Tampa Bay can repeat as NFC South champions with a win, which would set up a home playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on Wild Card Weekend.

Panthers vs. Bucs – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs beating the Panthers is far from a given, especially if their Week 7 meeting is anything to go by. Todd Bowles’ team came into that game with a mediocre 3-3 record, but Carolina was reeling at 1-5 with a new interim head coach in Steve Wilks following the firing of Matt Rhule. And despite seemingly having the advantage — especially after Christian McCaffrey was traded that week — the Bucs were pounded by a score of 21-3. It was one of the lowest points of their season, and now they’ll have a chance to atone for it by beating the Panthers for another division title.

After beating the Cardinals 19-16 in overtime on Christmas night, the Bucs will look for another holiday victory on New Year’s Day. They’ve won back-to-back games only twice this season and none of their wins (except for a 19-3 win over Dallas in Week 1) have come easily. But as frustrating as everything has been for this team in year one under Bowles, another division championship is nothing to scoff at.

Outside of “NFC South champions” hats and t-shirts, there is plenty more on the line for the Bucs this Sunday. Of course, we’re talking personal milestones and records. Last week, Tom Brady became the first player in NFL history to reach 250 regular season wins, Lavonte David tied John Lynch for fifth-most games played in team history and Carlton Davis tied Donnie Abraham for fourth-most passes defended in Bucs history.

So, what’s on the line in Week 17? Let’s get into it.

Team

With a win, the Bucs will secure back-to-back NFC South championships for the first time in their history. It would also mark the team’s eighth-ever division title.

The 2022 Bucs are also looking to unseat some previous teams in the sack category before season’s end. They need five sacks to pass the 2004 team (45.0) for fifth-most in franchise history, while seven more will move them ahead of the 2019 and 2021 teams (47.0) for third-most.

Tom Brady

Bucs RB Leonard Fournette and QB Tom Brady – Photo by: USA Today

Brady is now 694 passing yards away from passing Vinny Testaverde (14,820) for second-most in team history. He is also two wins away from tying Doug Williams (33) for second-most by a Bucs quarterback.

Leonard Fournette

Fournette remains one rushing touchdown away from tying Ronald Jones II (18) for eighth-most in franchise history.

The Bucs’ veteran running back is also one receiving touchdown away from tying Adger Armstrong, Michael Pittman and Charles Sims (six) for fourth-most by a running back in team history. Another receiving touchdown would also tie him with Charles Sims (four in 2015) for the most by a Tampa Bay running back in a single season.

Rachaad White

White is just three catches away from tying James Wilder (48 in 1981) for the third-most by a Bucs rookie running back.

Mike Evans

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

Evans’ touchdown drought continued in Arizona, so he still remains 21 points away from passing Michael Husted (502) for second-most in team history.

With his 136th career start on Sunday, Evans will be just one away from tying Mike Alstott (137) for sixth-most in franchise history.

And, of course, Evans is still chasing that 1,000-yard mark with two games to play. He needs 83 more yards for his ninth straight 1,000-yard season. He already owns the record for most 1,000-yard receiving seasons to begin a career (eight and counting) but a ninth would tie Tim Brown for the second-longest streak in NFL history.

Chris Godwin

Godwin needs one touchdown of any kind to tie Jimmie Giles (34) for the fourth-most total touchdowns in team history. His next receiving touchdown will also tie him with Cameron Brate (33) for third-most all-time.

With seven more receptions this season, Godwin will pass Mike Evans (96 in 2016) for third-most in a single season in team history. And with 10 receptions, he’ll pass himself (98 in 2021) for second-most in a single season.

Cameron Brate

Brate hasn’t found the end zone yet this season, but his next touchdown will tie him with Jimmie Giles (34) for fourth-most total touchdowns in team history. His next receiving score will also tie him with Giles (34) for second-most in franchise history. And with seven more receptions, he’ll pass Giles (279) for the most-ever by a Bucs tight end.

Cade Otton

Bucs QB Tom Brady and TE Cade Otton – Photo by: USA Today

Otton is only two receptions away from tying Alex Smith (41 in 2005) for second-most by a Tampa Bay rookie tight end.

Donovan Smith

If Smith can suit up on Sunday, it’ll be his 124th career start, leaving him six behind Warren Sapp (130) for eighth-most in team history.

Will Gholston

Gholston is set to play his 152nd game as a Buc, leaving him six away from tying Mike Alstott (158) for eighth-most all-time.

Vita Vea

If Vea can get back on the field, he’ll continue his chase for becoming the first Bucs interior defensive lineman to record double-digit sacks in a season since Warren Sapp totaled 16.5 in 2000. Vea needs 3.5 more over Tampa Bay’s final two games.

Lavonte David

Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

David will play in his 165th game as a Buc on Sunday, passing John Lynch (164) for fifth-most in franchise history. His 165th career start will leave him 18 behind Paul Gruber (183) for third-most in Bucs history.

With 4.5 more sacks, David will pass Jason Pierre-Paul and Brad Culpepper (33) for eighth-most in team history. And after last week, he needs five more passes defended to tie Carlton Davis and Donnie Abraham (64) for fourth-most all-time.

Carlton Davis

Davis is now only one pass defended away from passing Donnie Abraham (64) for fourth-most in team history. He will then set his sights on second place, which is currently owned by Derrick Brooks (84).

Jamel Dean

If Dean can return from his toe injury to play against the Panthers on Sunday, he’ll have a chance to get the one pass defended he needs to tie Brent Grimes (41) for ninth-most in franchise history.