The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have played 50 seasons since entering the NFL in 1976, creating a rich history that includes two Super Bowl championships, multiple figures inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and countless moments that live on forever in the memory of Buccaneers fans. As current Buccaneers continue to chase championships and set new team records, they will find that the bar has been set very high in many categories. As we prepare for the next 50 seasons of Buccaneer football, we are looking at some of the most impressive team and individual achievements over the first half-century. Today, we remember the best passing games ever produced by Buccaneer quarterbacks.
This one required a little definition, because there are multiple ways to rank a single-game passing performance. For instance, there have been four instances of a Tampa Bay quarterback throwing for more than 450 yards in a game; are those the top four performances? It's worth noting that two of those four outings came in Buccaneer losses. How about touchdown passes? Six different Bucs quarterbacks have produced five-TD games a total of eight times, including three by Tom Brady and one by Baker Mayfield. But that's a tough tie to break when trying to turn eight games into a top-five list. Passer rating is more of an all-inclusive stat, but a little bit flawed.
In the end, we went with passer rating as the starting point, eliminated any outings that came in a loss and then used yards and touchdowns as a tiebreaker to rank the top five. We also chose to include only one performance from each quarterback, or the Bucs' current starter might have shown up two or three times on this list.
View images of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' matchups throughout the years vs. the Green Bay Packers
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 3: Running back Ricky Bell #42 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers at Tampa Stadium on December 3, 1978 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 7-17. (photo by Allen Studios/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 12: Running back Ricky Bell #42 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers at Tampa Stadium on October 12, 1980 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers tied 14-14 (OT). (photo by Bob and Sylvia Allen/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
MILWAUKEE, WI - NOVEMBER 30: Quarterback Doug Williams #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to make a pass against the Green Bay Packers at Milwaukee County Stadium on November 30, 1980 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Buccaneers won 20-17. (photo by Bob and Sylvia Allen/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 22: Offensive Tackle Ron Heller #73 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers blocks against the Green Bay Packers at Tampa Stadium on December 22, 1985 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 17-20. (photo by Unknown/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 3: Safety Bobby Futrell #36 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in action against the Green Bay Packers at Tampa Stadium on December 3, 1989 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 16-17. (photo by Mike Jula/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 14: Defensive end Ray Seals #98 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates against the Green Bay Packers on October 14, 1990 at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 26-14. (photo by Michael Minardi/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 27: Wide receiver Lawrence Dawsey #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers at Tampa Stadium on October 27, 1991 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 0-27. (photo by Michael Minardi/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 13: Quarterback Vinny Testaverde #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in action against the Green Bay Packers at Tampa Stadium on September 13, 1992 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 31-3. (photo by Mike Jula/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 24: Safety Marty Carter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackles against the Green Bay Packers at Tampa Stadium on October 24, 1993 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 14-37. (photo by Allen Dean Steele/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 28: Running Back Vince Workman #46 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 28, 1993 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Buccaneers lost 10-13. (photo by Paul R. Baker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 25: Tight end Jackie Harris #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in action against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on September 25, 1994 in Green Bay, Wisconson. The Buccaneers lost 3-30. (photo by David Graham/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 24: Linebacker Hardy Nickerson #56 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with Wide Receiver Lawrence Dawsey #80 against the Green Bay Packers at Tampa Stadium on December 24, 1994 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 19-34. (photo by Allen's Studio/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 1: Quarterback Trent Dilfer #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Green Bay Packers at Houlihan's Stadium on September 1, 1996 in Tampa, FL. Tampa Bay lost 3-34. (photo by Bob Rosato/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 5: Wide Receiver Horace Copeland #88 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 5, 1997 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Buccaneers lost 16-21. (photo by Kevin Terrell/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 13: Quarterback Trent Dilfer #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on September 13, 1998 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 15-23. (photo by Robert Rogers/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 7: Wide receiver Jacquez Green #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium on December 7, 1998 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 24-22. (photo by William Garrow/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 10: Fullback Mike Alstott #40 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 10, 1999 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Buccaneers lost 23-26. (photo by Robbie Rogers/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 26: Fullback Mike Alstott #40 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium on December 26, 1999 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 29-10. (photo by J. Patrick Skipper/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 7: Quarterback Brad Johnson #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drops back against the Green Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium on October 7, 2001 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 14-10. (photo by Andreas Asturias/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 24: Cornerback Brian Kelly #25 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball against the Green Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium on November 24, 2002 in Tampa, Florida. Buccaneers won 21-7. (photo by Charles Sonnenblick/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
GREEN BAY, WI- SEPTEMBER 25: Running back Carnell Williams #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on September 25, 2005 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Buccaneers won 17-16. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 28: Running back Earnest Graham #34 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Green Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium on September 28, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 30-21. (photo by J. Meric/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
NOVEMBER 8, 2009, TAMPA, FLORIDA: Wide Receiver Michael Clayton #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers almost reels in a touchdown pass against Green Bay Packers Cornerback Charles Woodson #21 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on November 8, 2009. The Buccaneers won 38-28. Photo by Matt Marriott/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 20: Wide Receiver Arrelious Benn #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 20, 2011, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Buccaneers lost 35-26. (photo by Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 21: Defensive Tackle Akeem Spence #97 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium on December 21, 2014, in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 20-3. (photo by Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 3: Tight End Cameron Brate #84 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 3, 2017, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Buccaneers lost 26-20. (photo by Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 18, 2020 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates during the game between the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won the game, 38-10. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 24, 2021 - Quarterback Tom Brady #12 and Running Back Ronald Jones II #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFC Championship game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Buccaneers won the game, 31-26. Photo By Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 25, 2022 - Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers lost the game, 12-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
GREEN BAY, WI - December 17, 2023 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers. The Bucs won the game, 34-20. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Top Five Passing Games in Buccaneers History
1. Baker Mayfield, at Green Bay, Dec. 17, 2023
Passer rating: 158.3
Passing yards: 381
Touchdown passes: 4
There have been three instances of a Tampa Bay passer recording a perfect 158.3 passer rating in a game in which he has thrown at least 10 passes, and all three are represented in this top five. Mayfield gets the top spot because of the added level of difficulty: the 2023 Packers were a prime NFC contender and Lambeau Field in December can be quite a challenge (this game was 36-degree wind chill and wins of 10 miles per hour at kickoff). In fact, Mayfield was the first and remains the only visiting passer ever to record a perfect passer rating at Lambeau Field.
Mayfield was nearly flawless, completing 22 of 28 passes for 381 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. He had a completion percentage of 78.6% and picked up 13.6 yards per attempt despite getting sacked five times. In the process, he became just the third player in league history to have a 158.3 passer rating in a road game in which he threw for at least 375 yards and four touchdowns. The other two were Nick Foles in 2013 and Ken O'Brien in 1986. A rare performance indeed!
2. Brad Johnson, vs. Minnesota, Nov. 3, 2002
Passer rating: 148.3
Passing yards: 313
Touchdown passes: 5
This performance jumps ahead of the other two "perfect games" on the list because of the five touchdowns and zero interceptions. Johnson only missed that 158.3 mark because his yards per attempt weren't quite high enough to get the top score (he would have needed 75 more yards to get there), but this was still a hyper-efficient outing. This was the first time in franchise history that a quarterback had thrown five touchdown passes and no interceptions in a single game.
It also doesn't hurt that this came right in the middle of the season in which the Bucs would eventually chase down a first-round bye and a path to their first Super Bowl championship. It also happened against the team that drafted Johnson in the ninth round in 1992 and gave him 23 starts over five seasons. He completed 24 of his 31 passes and had three touchdowns and a comfortable lead by halftime.
3. Tom Brady, at Detroit, Dec. 26, 2020
Passer rating: 158.3
Passing yards: 348
Touchdown passes: 4
Despite the perfect passer rating, this one doesn't stand at the very top of the list due to contextual reasons. The 2020 Lions were not a good team and they lost six of their last seven while dealing with a long list of injuries and COVID-related absences. The Lions were even without some of their coaches in Week 17 against the visiting Buccaneers. This one was such a one-sided blowout that Brady only played one half before ceding the second half to Blaine Gabbert.
In a way, though, that makes this performance even more impressive. Brady's stat line of 22 completions in 27 attempts for 348 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions looks very much like a full game's worth of production. He likely would not have been throwing very much had he stayed in for the rest of the game. He led the Buccaneers' offense to touchdowns on five of the six drives he directed and repeatedly hit big plays downfield, including touchdowns of 33 yards to Rob Gronkowski and 27 yards to Mike Evans.
4. Craig Erickson, vs. Indianapolis, Sept. 11, 1994
Passer rating: 158.3
Passing yards: 313
Touchdown passes: 3
This is the first "perfect game" by a Buccaneers quarterback in franchise history, and it was just the 17th start of his NFL career. The Bucs were facing a Colts team that had trounced the Houston Oilers the week before, 45-21, to start their season (and one, coincidentally, that Erickson would be traded to the following year). That Erickson put together a 158.3 passer rating 26 years before any other Bucs quarterback could match it makes it deserving of inclusion on the list.
Both Erickson and Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh completed exactly 19 of 24 passes in the game, but that turned into 313 yards and three scores for the Buccaneers' starter and just 206 and zero for Harbaugh. Erickson was also not intercepted or sacked in the game. He threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Charles Wilson and a 48-yarder to tight end Jackie Harris and he went nine-of-10 for 167 yards and two scores in the second half as the Bucs protected a 10-3 halftime lead.
5. Ryan Fitzpatrick, at New Orleans, Sept. 9, 2018
Passer rating: 156.2
Passing yards: 417
Touchdown passes: 4
Fitzpatrick was at his gunslinger best in this one, a wild shootout that produced the most combined points ever in a season-opener. He completed 21 of 28 passes for 417 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions and just missed out on a perfect passer rating by one completion. Had he finished 22 of 28, he would have joined Erickson, Brady and Mayfield in the perfection ranks, but his 417 yards is the most in any performance on this list.
Starting for a suspended Jameis Winston, Fitzpatrick was a big-play machine from the beginning in this one. His second pass of the game, on the Bucs' opening possession, was a 58-yard touchdown connection with DeSean Jackson. He later hit Jackson again on a 36-yard score and Evans on a 50-yard completion to the house. Though it doesn't factor into the passing-performance rankings, Fitzgerald also made key plays with his legs, first a three-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and then a 12-yard scramble on third-and-11 at the two-minute warning that ended the Saints' very scary fourth-quarter comeback attempt.
