Evans came into the day with a simple task ahead of him. Collect five catches for 85 yards to cash in on a $3 million contract incentive bonus.
Those five catches and 85 yards would also put him in the same boat as Jerry Rice, tying him for the most consecutive seasons with 1,000 yards receiving at 11. While things weren’t looking great for Tampa Bay in the regular season’s final week, cooler heads prevailed as the Bucs clinched a playoff spot.
As is always the case in Week 18, victory formation is put on hold until the bonuses are met. With Evans needing just five yards with 36 seconds left and Tampa Bay up by eight, the Bucs lined up to run another play. Baker Mayfield hit Evans for a nine-yard pass, which would stand as the final play of the game as Tampa Bay celebrated.
Evans etched his name into the history books and will go for the record next year, having gone over 1,000 yards in every season he’s played thus far. He’ll also do it with an extra $3 million in his bank account.
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The Buccaneers, who officially clinched the NFC South with a win over the Saints, can now turn their attention to the postseason. They’ll now watch in the late window to see how the seeding will shake out. The bottom line is that Tampa Bay will host a game at their place next weekend.
Hopefully, Evans will buy his teammates some good food to celebrate tonight.
Mike Evans stats today
9 receptions
89 receiving yards
14 targets