David’s 21 recoveries of opponent’s fumbles leads all active players, and by a healthy margin.
Most Career Opponent Fumble Recoveries, Active NFL Players
1. Lavonte David, Buccaneers: 21
2. T.J. Watt, Steelers: 14
3t. Calais Campbell, Cardinals: 13
3t. Khalil Mack, Chargers: 13
5t. Cameron Jordan, Saints: 12
5t. Bobby Wagner, Commanders: 12
David’s six tackles also helped the Buccaneers hold Carolina to just 19 rushing yards on 14 attempts, the fewest the team has allowed to an opponent in a single game since it allowed -1 rushing yards against the New England Patriots on October 3, 2001. The average of 1.36 yards per carry recorded by the Panthers was the 12th lowest the Buccaneers have ever allowed in a game. The Buccaneers’ defense held the Carolina rushing attack to the second-lowest per-carry average of any team in a game this season, after the 1.25 allowed by Pittsburgh against Detroit in Week 16.
Tampa Bay’s offense racked up 140 rushing yards on Saturday’s wet track, for a rushing yardage differential in the game of plus-121, the team’s best margin of the season. Running back Bucky Irving set a career single-game high with 26 carries, turning them into 85 yards. Despite missing seven games due to injuries this season, Irving still managed to lead the team with 588 rushing yards, just passing Rachaad White (572) on the final weekend.
Sean Tucker finished the season as the Buccaneers’ leader in total touchdowns (eight) and rushing touchdowns (seven). He became the first player in franchise to score seven rushing touchdowns while getting fewer than 100 carries.
Most Rushing Touchdowns, Single Season, Fewer Than 100 Carries, Buccaneers History
1. Sean Tucker, 2025: 7 TDs, 86 carries
2t. Mike Alstott, 2005: 6 TDs, 34 carries
2t. Leonard Fournette, 2020: 6 TDs, 97 carries
2t. Jameis Winston, 2015: 6 TDs, 54 carries
Baker Mayfield completed 16 of his 22 attempts against Carolina for 203 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He finished the season with 3, 755 passing yards and 26 touchdown passes. He and Tom Brady are the only two quarterbacks in franchise history to have three separate seasons with 25-plus touchdown passes.
Mayfield also ran for 31 yards on four carries to finish the season with 382 rushing yards, just passing his previous career high of 378 set last year. Mayfield now owns two of the top three rushing seasons by a quarterback in franchise history.
Most Rushing Yards, Quarterback, Single Season, Buccaneers History
Steve Young, 1986: 425
Baker Mayfield, 2025: 382
Baker Mayfield, 2024: 378
Doug Williams, 1980: 370
Josh Freeman, 2010: 364
Two of Mayfield’s four scrambles against the Panthers occurred on third downs, one of which he converted for a first down. Mayfield proved to be one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks at converting third downs with his legs in 2025.
Highest Third-Down Conversion Rate on Runs, NFL Quarterbacks, 2025