TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got a surge of life in the first half against the Washington Commanders when franchise record receiver Mike Evans scored a 1-yard touchdown to tie the game at 10-10 at the half.
The Bucs’ defense struggled to get off the field with the Commanders having possession for seven more minutes and the Bucs trailing 10-3, but quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 3 of 3 passes for 43 yards and added an 18-yard scramble.
FIRE THE CANNONS 💣💥
📺: #WASvsTB on NBC pic.twitter.com/MgreDmaIk6
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 13, 2025
Then Evans drew a defensive pass interference penalty on cornerback Marshon Lattimore in the corner of the end zone, advancing the Bucs from the Washington 12 to the Washington 1-yard line, with Mayfield connecting with Evans on a slant route against Lattimore.
It was the’ sixth postseason touchdown of Evans’ career.
The highly anticipated Evans-Lattimore matchup has been one-sided despite the Commanders being in control of the first half as a hole. Evans has gone 4-for-4 for 55 receiving yards with Lattimore as the nearest defender, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, already the second-most receiving yards Evans has had against Lattimore in his career.
Prior to Sunday, Evans’ career best against Lattimore was in Week 1 of the 2018 season, where he caught four passes for 115 yards and a touchdown, according to ESPN Research.
