A behind-the-scenes look at the Buccaneers' Week 14 matchup with the Lions
![Bucs vs Lions](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/lfbmb3bmwdwrc4qj0n8f.jpg)
Bucs vs Lions
![HC Dirk Koetter](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/ozi8y55wumroe4frowxg.jpg)
HC Dirk Koetter
![WR Mike Evans](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/gncgdsf1b8vgjiyfqytu.jpg)
WR Mike Evans
![CB Javien Elliott and CB Robert McClain](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/xgueijgtliy96boef55o.jpg)
CB Javien Elliott and CB Robert McClain
![Bucs Huddle](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/wy4gsx026jmabv8lrd04.jpg)
Bucs Huddle
![DE William Gholston](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/wcmdgtokub0ffgfrsuoo.jpg)
DE William Gholston
![WR Freddie Martino](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/vz0xrrfn1muftfor1tdl.jpg)
WR Freddie Martino
![Bucs Fans](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/oi3uhxrscdrnugwrlpsr.jpg)
Bucs Fans
![Bucs Fans](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/wtsbm7smw8fcruntnn5w.jpg)
Bucs Fans
![Bucs Fans](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/ymkoytpd5idkmrhzfjfu.jpg)
Bucs Fans
![S Keith Tandy](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/lyw4m4qdoqrfnmsxzkvu.jpg)
S Keith Tandy
![LB Lavonte David and LB Kwon Alexander](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/eyrlhi7kee5wabco5sro.jpg)
LB Lavonte David and LB Kwon Alexander
![LB Lavonte David](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/qyjji75rdtlhfsi9j1x6.jpg)
LB Lavonte David
![LB Lavonte David](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/lxubpkeqoe0uakfv0dao.jpg)
LB Lavonte David
![QB Jameis Winston](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/w0xgt1fj57ayfwc8jglg.jpg)
QB Jameis Winston
![QB Jameis Winston](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/f2waq7wajouivnxq0fzg.jpg)
QB Jameis Winston
![Bucs vs Lions](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/ewteff2jvv3xonodlqtf.jpg)
Bucs vs Lions
![WR Chris Godwin, QB Ryan Griffin, DE Will Clarke, OT Leonard Wester, P Bryan Anger, OT Caleb Benenoch, G/T Kevin Pamphile and TE O.J. Howard](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/hdg0jnmnyojvnc8nujfl.jpg)
WR Chris Godwin, QB Ryan Griffin, DE Will Clarke, OT Leonard Wester, P Bryan Anger, OT Caleb Benenoch, G/T Kevin Pamphile and TE O.J. Howard
![TE O.J. Howard](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/va1c1ih4q6hinnfbxaee.jpg)
TE O.J. Howard
![LB Kwon Alexander](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/ike32ribzq1zrx08a8lr.jpg)
LB Kwon Alexander
![OT Evan Smith](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/wrdncvqur055ouewrtqo.jpg)
OT Evan Smith
![DE Patrick O'Connor](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/nuqgmxbivi7crsihlbjk.jpg)
DE Patrick O'Connor
![S Keith Tandy](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/bmn7yygauhasnvxguvva.jpg)
S Keith Tandy
![QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and QB Jameis Winston](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/ygh8b5s8s0evskcgn9jd.jpg)
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and QB Jameis Winston
![LB Kendell Beckwith, HC Dirk Koetter and LB Lavonte David](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/cj8sr99spfbwkkszxd2m.jpg)
LB Kendell Beckwith, HC Dirk Koetter and LB Lavonte David
![Bucs Prayer Circle](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/pl2ydfbu5cahaiweiybn.jpg)
Bucs Prayer Circle
![Bucs Helmets](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/xwaze7hmidcktynipmaf.jpg)
Bucs Helmets
![Bucs Fans](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/ivil38gretvbnzypmcjh.jpg)
Bucs Fans
![DE William Gholston](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/pzwwy7xtv9twktabik5n.jpg)
DE William Gholston
![Military Veteran](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/cwrm27sj4aqkllsfxgrg.jpg)
Military Veteran
![Military Veteran](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/orq9zinxvwlmxmt9d6zo.jpg)
Military Veteran
![Bucs vs Lions](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/h4uf6jyqcrk8vzec2wfh.jpg)
Bucs vs Lions
![Bucs vs Lions](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/fuoah32zu40prnhxhwqy.jpg)
Bucs vs Lions
![DE Will Clarke](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/l1k4e3kiyw0hwohaj4lq.jpg)
DE Will Clarke
![C Joe Hawley](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/v03znjoscujajv8jbbyu.jpg)
C Joe Hawley
![C Joe Hawley](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/g9cwefaqtx5j5k5jlmde.jpg)
C Joe Hawley
![C Joe Hawley](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/hlqo2mnhaqdg5jrnpn0z.jpg)
C Joe Hawley
![Bucs vs Lions](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/kihrmshfaygeq6htia57.jpg)
Bucs vs Lions
![OT Donovan Smith](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/mkveskeedyx1k89jgh7t.jpg)
OT Donovan Smith
![OT Donovan Smith](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/pwpq8izdvg0ir7lpjaxc.jpg)
OT Donovan Smith
![OT Caleb Benenoch](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/inmzfvbbvnknckfgqvs2.jpg)
OT Caleb Benenoch
![G J.R. Sweezy](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/m8kx83gdfzn5xhavwvjk.jpg)
G J.R. Sweezy
![Bucs vs Lions](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/en4bwveyftugjjd9rj74.jpg)
Bucs vs Lions
![RB Doug Martin](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/nlm6hivy6cle2tqi3vgs.jpg)
RB Doug Martin
![Bucs Fans](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/oxlc9h9b7dxobsemvnoq.jpg)
Bucs Fans
![RB Doug Martin](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/rc3nuzmmsnyepmrvhqy8.jpg)
RB Doug Martin
![WR Mike Evans](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/ziq21gqa6kb6u8dan60c.jpg)
WR Mike Evans
![TE O.J. Howard](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/mvmjzznijhkaiboceu2n.jpg)
TE O.J. Howard
![WR Chris Godwin, WR DeSean Jackson and TE Alan Cross](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/hizsrkavutupsr80emlf.jpg)
WR Chris Godwin, WR DeSean Jackson and TE Alan Cross
![QB Jameis Winston](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/cd5mkvgov5fsfpd1i5yc.jpg)
QB Jameis Winston
![RB Doug Martin](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/ieeyr0sf1supzr7iveae.jpg)
RB Doug Martin
![National Anthem](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/kizexdfgxiqm4llck5hc.jpg)
National Anthem
![HC Dirk Koetter, QB Jameis Winston and WR Mike Evans](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/amtn8rzajoffgebeggws.jpg)
HC Dirk Koetter, QB Jameis Winston and WR Mike Evans
![Bucs vs Lions](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/jkff3lolkm9cfim2djpi.jpg)
Bucs vs Lions
![National Anthem](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/okk7vmqigin9qqnyw3ep.jpg)
National Anthem
![National Anthem](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/khd3hagsaaxihjf5r4zn.jpg)
National Anthem
![National Anthem](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/rpb63rvdferlusfv1lcy.jpg)
National Anthem
![National Anthem](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/coxepotpjwpk55part9k.jpg)
National Anthem
![National Anthem](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/cy51rxype1jhybbqn7hd.jpg)
National Anthem
![National Anthem](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/nm3gi6wrvicq2wmipw3b.jpg)
National Anthem
![National Anthem](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/ulcoycqalmsqzn6xsbmu.jpg)
National Anthem
![National Anthem](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/zaltr00iodgphcrldsvn.jpg)
National Anthem
![LB Lavonte David, LB Kwon Alexander, DT Gerald McCoy, WR Mike Evans and QB Jameis Winston](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/guj6pavfcvoact3jtzhm.jpg)
LB Lavonte David, LB Kwon Alexander, DT Gerald McCoy, WR Mike Evans and QB Jameis Winston
![Bucs Fans](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/omcdymhdiwlwxwopcmei.jpg)
Bucs Fans
![Bucs Fans](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/ybzxb2ofu52t0bk38anz.jpg)
Bucs Fans
![DT Gerald McCoy, WR Mike Evans, LB Kwon Alexander, LB Lavonte David and QB Jameis Winston](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/flejgvfeaor7nxf1v5x9.jpg)
DT Gerald McCoy, WR Mike Evans, LB Kwon Alexander, LB Lavonte David and QB Jameis Winston
![Bucs Fans](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/diib0wpjhotvgmuychy1.jpg)
Bucs Fans
![Bucs Fans](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/hj4whkttngwgq1rjvedr.jpg)
Bucs Fans
![Bucs Fans](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/elmihnwrnfws1wyzhaic.jpg)
Bucs Fans
![TE O.J. Howard](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/eupuxq67hj9scmlrmicu.jpg)
TE O.J. Howard
![QB Jameis Winston](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/ykhruywygvwezfqnqwpz.jpg)
QB Jameis Winston
![Bucs vs Lions](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/j1xqvxwqb6d1l5nduahr.jpg)
Bucs vs Lions
![Bucs vs Lions](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/hfybjmwh3yq7cz0wimlq.jpg)
Bucs vs Lions
![RB Doug Martin](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/nbvabvgobdno2gfble2p.jpg)
RB Doug Martin
![S Justin Evans, CB Brent Grimes, LB Kwon Alexander and LB Lavonte David](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/ezuydmjpiilchapfpdxd.jpg)
S Justin Evans, CB Brent Grimes, LB Kwon Alexander and LB Lavonte David
![Bucs vs Lions](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/ptestaa1gpykowyus7xg.jpg)
Bucs vs Lions
![HS COTY Nate Varnadore](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/pxewk97n9eeps6jdgxbe.jpg)
HS COTY Nate Varnadore
![Bucs vs Lions](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/bb9ln6ifqrzaelwzzyyt.jpg)
Bucs vs Lions
![OT Donovan Smith, QB Jameis Winston, TE Cameron Brate and G J.R. Sweezy](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/qp8mqhqcwhal5jhtiqul.jpg)
OT Donovan Smith, QB Jameis Winston, TE Cameron Brate and G J.R. Sweezy
![WR Chris Godwin](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/lljufzzrrd3k9ovwx6lu.jpg)
WR Chris Godwin
![OC Todd Monken](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/pvmcxhjsoryjwy9w2wg7.jpg)
OC Todd Monken
![TE Alan Cross, TE O.J. Howard, RB Peyton Barber and TE Antony Auclair](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/c5gd0ahv8ouqtfdoezfy.jpg)
TE Alan Cross, TE O.J. Howard, RB Peyton Barber and TE Antony Auclair
![Bucs vs Lions](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/uqanql0o8zxg2uttlkfy.jpg)
Bucs vs Lions
![OT Leonard Wester](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/w0nbkqoh9d6okxq0ybpm.jpg)
OT Leonard Wester
![TE Antony Auclair and OT Leonard Wester](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/fl9vxlba7qlhtykknsek.jpg)
TE Antony Auclair and OT Leonard Wester
![OT Leonard Wester](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/bxkcghm3s791mwgxq6va.jpg)
OT Leonard Wester
![TE Antony Auclair and OT Leonard Wester](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/n2hilsp6xptoowyxkgn5.jpg)
TE Antony Auclair and OT Leonard Wester
![DT Gerald McCoy and OT Leonard Wester](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/gpuhbnoke7z1auvns53t.jpg)
DT Gerald McCoy and OT Leonard Wester
![Bucs Fans](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/dcap45y5yqkljeto4noe.jpg)
Bucs Fans
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Bucs Fans
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Bucs Fans
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Bucs Fans
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Bucs Fans
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Bucs Fans
![DE Will Clarke](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/so3wvo0bgtrvwc3cgv9l.jpg)
DE Will Clarke
![WR DeSean Jackson](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/kkojqrw7aln6ssyfht3k.jpg)
WR DeSean Jackson
![Lions WR Marvin Jones Jr and WR DeSean Jackson](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/nchqnfqntdfngxmngqrk.jpg)
Lions WR Marvin Jones Jr and WR DeSean Jackson
![DE Will Clarke](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/buccaneers/qro2neuots2zl9ytyrgs.jpg)
DE Will Clarke
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense forced three turnovers on Sunday against Detroit, which could have been a winning edge if not for the five turnovers committed by Tampa Bay's offense. In the end, Detroit won the game, 24-21, on a 46-yard Matt Prater field goal with 20 seconds remaining.
The first of those Buccaneer takeaways came from a familiar source: linebacker Lavonte David. With three minutes left in the first quarter, David caught up with tight end Eric Ebron after a short reception and was able to poke the ball out of Ebron's grasp. A wild scramble ensued, and after several players on both teams failed to corral the loose ball, David took care of the matter himself, falling on it at Detroit's 39-yard line.
Incredibly, that was both the fifth forced fumble and the fifth fumble recovery of the season for David, making him the NFL's top master of that art. The proof is right in the rankings in those two categories, as the Buccaneer linebacker is second in the NFL in forced fumbles (one off the lead) and first in opponent fumble recoveries.
Most Forced Fumbles, NFL, 2017
**Player** | **Pos.** | **Team** | **FF** |
Yannick Ngakoue | DE | Jacksonville | 6 |
Lavonte David | LB | Tampa Bay | 5 |
Joey Bosa | DE | L.A. Chargers | 4 |
Demarcus Lawrence | DE | Dallas | 4 |
Terrell Suggs | LB | Baltimore | 4 |
Not surprisingly, the rest of the top five in forced fumbles is comprised of edge rushers, who tend to get their forced fumbles primarily on strip sacks. Lavonte David does not have a sack this season. He does have a lot of fumble recoveries, though.
Most Opponent Fumble Recoveries, NFL, 2017
**Player** | **Pos.** | **Team** | **FF** |
Lavonte David | LB | Tampa Bay | 5 |
Reshad Jones | S | Miami | 3 |
Barkevious Mingo | LB | Indianapolis | 3 |
C.J. Mosley | LB | Baltimore | 3 |
Tahir Whitehead | LB | Detroit | 3 |
This list, in contrast, is mostly linebackers. It's also worth noting that David is the only name to appear on both top-five lists. Not only is he the only player in the NFL with at least five forced fumbles and at least five fumble recoveries, he's the only player in the NFL with at least three in each category. There are only seven players in the NFL, including David, who have forced at least two fumbles and recovered at least three opponent fumbles.
**Player** | **Team** | **FF** | FR |
Lavonte David | Tampa Bay | 5 | 5 |
Demarcus Lawrence | Dallas | 4 | 2 |
Barkevious Mingo | Indianapolis | 2 | 3 |
C.J. Mosley | Baltimore | 2 | 3 |
Adrian Clayborn | Atlanta | 2 | 2 |
Jadeveon Clowney | Houston | 2 | 2 |
Dante Fowler | Jacksonville | 2 | 2 |
Though he has set new career single-season highs in both fumble categories this year, David is not new to taking the ball away from opposing players. In the six seasons since he entered the NFL as a second-round draft pick in 2012, David has been among the league's best at both forcing and recovering fumbles.
Most Forced Fumbles, NFL, 2012-17
**Player** | **Team** | **Pos.** | **FF** |
Robert Quinn | LAR | DE | 19 |
Von Miller | DEN | LB | 18 |
Lavonte David | TB | LB | 17 |
Ryan Kerrigan | WAS | LB | 17 |
Cameron Wake | MIA | DE | 17 |
Most Opponent Fumble Recoveries, NFL, 2012-17
**Player** | **Team(s)** | **Pos.** | **FR** |
Lavonte David | TB | LB | 11 |
J.J. Watt | HOU | DE | 11 |
D'Qwell Jackson | CLE/IND | LB | 9 |
Julius Peppers | CHI/GB/CAR | DE | 9 |
Craig Robertson | CLE/NO | LB | 9 |
Again, those two lists are markedly different, other than David's presence, because edge rushers usually lead the league in forced fumbles, while the fumble recoveries list is more varied.
In terms of Tampa Bay's own franchise history, David's five forced fumbles are the seventh-highest single-season total. Broderick Thomas (1991) and Stylez G. White (2007) share the record with seven. David's five opponent fumble recoveries in 2017 have set a new Buccaneer record; the previous mark was four, first set by Bill Kollar and Cecil Johnson in 1979, then matched by Ivory Sully in 1986 and Jovan Haye in 2007.
David's career mark in opponent fumble recoveries is nearing a franchise record. The only player in team history with more than David's 11 is future Hall of Famer Ronde Barber.
Most Career Opponent Fumble Recoveries, Buccaneers History
**Player** | **Pos.** | **Seasons** | **FR** |
Ronde Barber | CB/S | 1997-2012 | 12 |
Lavonte David | LB | 2012-17 | 11 |
John Cannon | DE | 1982-90 | 11 |
Cecil Johnson | LB | 1977-85 | 10 |
Lee Roy Selmon | DE | 1976-84 | 10 |
The Buccaneers' other two takeaways against the Lions were interceptions by Brent Grimes and Robert McClain. Both players pushed their season INT totals to three, tying rookie safety Justin Evans for the team lead in that category. The last time the Buccaneers had three different players get at least three interceptions each was 2013, when David had five and Mason Foster, Keith Tandy and Johnthan Banks all had three.
Grimes now has 33 career interceptions, including seven in his two seasons as a Buccaneer. Among active players, Grimes stands fifth in picks, right between Richard Sherman and Aqib Talib.
Most Career Interceptions, Active NFL Players
**Player** | **Team(s)** | **Seasons** | **INTs** |
DeAngelo Hall | ATL/OAK/WAS | 2004-17 | 43 |
Terence Newman | DAL/CIN/MIN | 2003-17 | 41 |
Reggie Nelson | JAX/CIN/OAK | 2007-17 | 35 |
Aqib Talib | TB/NE/DEN | 2008-17 | 34 |
Brent Grimes | ATL/MIA/TB | 2007-17 | 33 |
Richard Sherman | SEA | 2011-17 | 32 |
Tramon Williams | GB/CLE/AZ | 2007-17 | 32 |
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie | AZ/PHI/DEN/NYG | 2008-17 | 30 |
Darrelle Revis | NYJ/TB/NE/KC | 2007-12 | 29 |
Johnathan Joseph | CIN/HOU | 2006-17 | 28 |
Eric Weddle | SD/BAL | 2007-17 | 28 |
After notching his third interception of the season on Sunday, Grimes has now met or exceeded that total every year since 2013, a run of five consecutive seasons. Grimes is the only player in the NFL who has at least three interceptions in each of the last five seasons, though Talib could still join that group if he picks off two more passes over the next three weeks.
Grimes also had six interceptions in 2009 and another five in 2010 before injuries cost him a total of 19 games during the 2011-12 campaigns. That means he has seven seasons with at least three interceptions since 2009, more than any other player in the NFL in that span.
Most 3-Interception Seasons, NFL, 2009-17
**Player** | **Team(s)** | **3-INT Seasons** |
Brent Grimes | ATL/MIA/TB | 7 |
Antonio Cromartie | SD/NYJ/AZ | 6 |
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie | AZ/PHI/DEN/NYG | 6 |
Aqib Talib | TB/NE/DEN | 6 |
8 others tied with | 5 |
Though the Buccaneers lost the turnover-ratio battle – and thus, the game – on Sunday, the defense did get at least three takeaways for the third time this season. Tampa Bay's defense has been one of the league's best at forcing turnovers since the arrival of Mike Smith as defensive coordinator in 2016.
Most Takeaways, NFL Teams, 2016-17
- Baltimore: 57
- Tampa Bay: 53
- Kansas City: 50
Philadelphia: 50
L.A. Chargers: 50