WR Mike Evans Touches History in Week Five

At Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Week Five, Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans made history between the hash marks. He hauled in five receptions for 62 yards and two touchdowns on Thursday night against a divisional foe, reaching the 100 total touchdown mark for his career. His 100 total touchdowns make him the 26th player in NFL history to accomplish that feat. Evans tied Frank Gore as well as Hall of Famers Franco Harris and Curtis Martin (100) for the 23rd-most total touchdowns in league annals. He now has 99 career receiving touchdowns, tying Pro Football Hall of Famer Don Hutson for the 11th-most receiving touchdowns in NFL history. With his two receiving touchdowns, Evans surpassed Antonio Gates for the seventh-most games with multiple receiving touchdowns in NFL history.

Evans’ first touchdown came in the opening frame. The Falcons scored on their opening possession and Tampa Bay answered with one of its own. Evans capped off the nine-play, 63-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown pass. From first-and-goal, running back Bucky Irving went in motion, drawing defenders to the left side of the formation. Baker Mayfield dropped back and found Evans wide-open in the back of the end zone on a slant moving in the opposite direction, evening the score at seven.

His second of the day came in the second quarter from second-and-11. Down by four, the Falcons’ safety rolled down, leaving Evans in a favorable one-on-one matchup. Mayfield delivered a dart to Evans on a corner route for a 23-yard touchdown. That 23-yard play is now etched in Bucs’ lore, marking Evans’ 100th career touchdown.

“It’s kind of a shock they left him one-on-one with those safeties that they have,” said Mayfield. “But yeah, he did a good job winning on not ideal leverage for that route. And Mike being Mike, he had a big night.”

Evans, a high-point specialist, is the only receiver in NFL history with 1,000-plus receiving yards in each of his first 10 seasons, surpassing Hall of Famer Randy Moss. He is the Bucs’ franchise receptions leader, franchise receiving yards leader and the franchise receiving touchdowns leader. Evans continues to achieve consistency and longevity in the NFL, setting the tone on offense. The back-shoulder catch aficionado and future Hall of Famer, is physical at the top of routes and is a big red-zone target. He is threat to score from anywhere on the field and is adept at picking up yards after the catch and making contested grabs look effortless with outstanding body control. With his rare leaping ability, it is routine to see Evans work over the top of corners on highlight-reel grabs down the sideline. Evans ignited the Bucs’ offense against the Falcons, creating momentum in the first half.