The Bucs are 1-5 heading into their first NFC South contest of the season, and that’s just awful. But as much as it feels like they won’t take advantage of it, they do have a chance to get themselves back into the mix over the next couple of weeks. That starts this Sunday when they take on the 3-2, division-leading Panthers on the road.

A win over Carolina in Week 7 would suddenly have Tampa Bay only a game back in the win column. That’s pretty ridiculous, isn’t it? But this is the NFC South we’re talking about. Then, this team has another chance next Sunday — back home, where it’s 0-4 this year — against the Falcons. A win in that game a would make the Bucs 3-5 with a 2-0 mark against NFC South opponents. In other words, they’d be right back in it.

However unlikely that feels and however much you’re cringing at even the thought of another 8-9/9-8, division-winning season for Todd Bowles, it’s still on the table — for now.

There’s more on the table this Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in the first of two meetings between these two sides over the next month or so. And that’s why we’re here now. As we do every week on PewterReport.com, it’s time to dive into the records and milestones on the line for the Bucs in this week’s game.

Bucs ILB Josiah Trotter – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Last week, Josiah Trotter passed Lavonte David (41 in 2012) and Kendell Beckwith Jr. (41 in 2017) for the most tackles by a Buc through five career games since at least 2000, David Walker tied Curt Jarvis for the third-most sacks by a Buc through six career games since at least 1982 and Chase McLaughlin passed Graham Gano (46) for sole possession of the 10th-most field goals of 50+ yards in NFL history.

Now, let’s see where things stand heading into Week 7.

Bucs Record Watch: Week 7 at Panthers

Baker Mayfield

It looks like Mayfield will be back in action Sunday after missing the Bucs’ last three games with a dislocated thumb. If he throws for two touchdowns in his return, he’ll tie Tom Brady (31) for the second-most games in franchise history with multiple touchdown passes.

One more passing touchdown will give Mayfield 200 for his regular season career.

Mayfield is currently 12 passing touchdowns away from passing Tom Brady (108) for the second-most in Buccaneer history.

With one more win, Mayfield will tie Jameis Winston (28) for the fourth-most by a starting quarterback in team history.

With his first 250-yard passing game of the season on Sunday, Mayfield would tie Josh Freeman (23) for the third-most 250-yard games in Bucs history. A 300-yard passing game would tie him with Vinny Testaverde (12) for the third-most 300-yard passing games in team history.

Panthers QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

If Mayfield records a passer rating of 90.0+ in Sunday’s game, he’ll tie Jameis Winston (34) for the most such games in franchise history.

And finally, Mayfield is 118 yards away from passing Trent Dilfer (12,969) for the fifth-most in Bucs history.

Bucky Irving

Irving is six receptions away from reaching 100 in his career.

With 95 more scrimmage yards, Irving will eclipse 3,000 for his career. He would become the 22nd player and 12th running back to reach that mark with Tampa Bay.

Irving is also 189 scrimmage yards away from passing Errict Rhett (3,093) for the 10th-most by a running back in team history.

Chris Godwin Jr.

Godwin is 66 scrimmage yards away from eclipsing 8,000 for his career. He would join Mike Evans (13,062) and James Wilder (9,449) as the only three players in Bucs history to reach that milestone with the team.

Godwin remains four touchdowns away from passing James Wilder (46) for the third-most touchdowns from scrimmage in franchise history.

With nine more points scored, Godwin will pass Wilder (276) for the 10th-most of any Buc ever.

Sunday will be Godwin’s 127th game with Tampa Bay, moving him ahead of Cameron Brate (126) for the 16th-most in team history and leave him three behind Demar Dotson and Brian Kelly (130) for the 14th-most.

Cade Otton

Otton is still one receiving touchdown away from moving ahead of Calvin Magee and Alex Smith (11) for the seventh-most by a tight end in Bucs history and pulling into a tie for the sixth-most.

Bucs DT Vita Vea and Panthers QB Bryce Young – Photo by: IMAGN – Bob Donnan

Vita Vea

Vea is still without a sack this year, meaning he still needs 4.5 more to pass David Logan (39.0) for the seventh-most in franchise history.

Sunday will be Vea’s 119th game with the Bucs, moving him ahead of Randy Grimes (118) for the 25th-most in team history and leaving him two behind Chidi Ahanotu, Lee Roy Selmon and Jimmie Giles (121) for the 22nd-most.

Anthony Nelson

Nelson is set to play in his 114th game with Tampa Bay, moving him ahead of Mark Cotney and James Wilder (113) for the 29th-most in franchise history and tying him with Scot Brantley for the 28th-most.

Bucs OLB David Walker – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

David Walker

Walker needs one sack on Sunday to tie Eric Curry (5.0 in 1993) for the second-most by a Buc through seven career games. He would need three to tie Santana Dotson (7.0 in 1992) for the most through seven career games.

With another multi-sack game, Walker would become the first Buccaneer since Jason Pierre-Paul in December 2019 with multiple sacks in consecutive games.

Josiah Trotter

Trotter needs two tackles against Carolina to pass Lavonte David (49 in 2012) for the most by a Buccaneer through six career games (since at least 2000).

With nine tackles, Trotter would pass Anthony Hill Jr. (56 this year) and Devin Lloyd (6 in 2022) for the fifth-most by a player through six career games since at least 2000. He needs 10 tackles to pass Jacob Rodriguez (57 this year) to reach the fourth-most and trail behind only Shaq Leonard (79), Kiko Alonso (66) and Patrick Willis (63).

Zyon McCollum

McCollum is two passes defensed away from passing Brent Grimes (41) for the 10th-most in franchise history and tying John Lynch (42) for the ninth-most.

Chase McLaughlin

McLaughlin needs 10 more field goals to pass Connor Barth (114) for the third-most in Bucs history.

With 33 more points, McLaughlin will move ahead of Barth (477) for the fourth-most in team history.

McLaughlin is now only three 50+ yard field goals away from passing Greg Zuerlein (49) for the ninth-most field goals from 50+ yards in NFL history.