The highest storyline for the Bucs popping out of the bye week is how they’ll discover a approach to dig out of a 4-6 gap and attain the postseason once more. A giant assist in getting again to the staff’s profitable methods is the return of star large receiver Mike Evans, who has missed the final three video games with a hamstring harm.
Mike Evans, the best offensive participant in Bucs’ historical past, instantly makes Tampa Bay’s offense higher along with his presence alone. Since he’s been out the passing sport has actually simply gone by tight finish Cade Otton with transient contributions from different receivers. When Evans his again, he’ll be the highest goal and supply a carry that the unit wants for the time being to make a playoff push.
Bucs WRs Mike Evans and Sterling Shepard – Photograph by: USA Immediately
“It’s large, only for the probabilities,” Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield mentioned. “We speak about attempting to get explosive performs in and someway creating that and we’ve tried to be dialing some issues up throughout the scheme. It’s large to have the ability to have that menace in one-on-one protection, to have the ability to reap the benefits of it after which once they do wish to double cowl it, it opens issues up for different guys. It’s at all times a giant issue when he’s taking part in.”
That’s, after all, if he’s wholesome sufficient to play. The bye week certain helped with getting Mike Evans again faster with out having to play one other sport with out him. He was listed as restricted in apply on Wednesday, however many indicators level to Evans coming again because the Bucs face the Giants on Sunday.
“Mike is trending that approach,” head coach Todd Bowles mentioned. “We’ll see how he does the remainder of the week.”
“From what I can see, good, and simply [from] speaking to him, he appears actually optimistic about it,” Mayfield mentioned. “I imply, you guys know, Mike is a professional. He’s going to do every part he can to get again on the market with us and battle for this staff as we take it one sport at a time.”
Mike Evans’ 1,000-Yard Streak Is In The Stability For Bucs
A subplot after the primary story for the Bucs is whether or not or not Mike Evans can proceed constructing on his personal document and a tying one other. He presently owns the NFL document for many consecutive years to start a profession with 1,000 receiving yards at 10 seasons. Whereas that’s it’s personal document, he’s one other 1,000 yard season away from tying Jerry Rice for essentially the most consecutive 1,000-yard season at 11.
Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Evans stands at 335 yards on the yr with seven video games to go. He’s 665 yards away from 1,000, that means he’ll have to common 95 yards per sport the remainder of approach to attain it. That’s not inconceivable, however can be very tough. If the Bucs have been to to lose one in all their subsequent three video games and takes them out of the playoff race, this would possibly develop into the one main storyline left if Tampa Bay doesn’t have the rest to play for.
In an ideal world, the Bucs can win out or win sufficient video games to achieve the postseason whereas Mike Evans also can get his numbers. Understanding how a lot Evans means to the group, would the Bucs overdo getting him the ball simply to get his document even when he’s not the suitable learn on the play?
“No, I don’t suppose it’s a priority,” Todd Bowles mentioned. “We’re attempting to win the ballgame. Mike is a giant a part of the offense, so he’s going to be within the ballgame when he comes again. We’ll go from there – see how they’re taking part in us and take it from there.”
Mike Evans has at all times been a team-first man and would relatively commerce in his stats for an additional Tremendous Bowl championship. There’s no have to query what he wishes most. And he would be the focus of the offense so the percentages are that if the Bucs are scoring factors, Evans is the explanation due to it.
The easiest way for Evans to achieve 1,000 yards could be to have a monster sport proper out of the gate both this Sunday in opposition to the Giants or subsequent week in opposition to the Panthers. In 5 of his final six seasons Evans has had a least one sport the place he’s registered at the least 170 receiving yards or extra in a single. The exception was 2021 the place his largest sport was 113. Listed below are the numbers as follows:
2023: 171 (Week 2 vs. Bears)
2022: 207 (Week vs. Panthers)
2021: 113 (Week 5 vs. Dolphins)
2020: 181 (Week 16 at Lions)
2019: 198 (Week 8 at Titans)
2018: 179 (Week 8 at Bengals)
Bucs WR Mike Evans Photograph by: USA Immediately
For arguments sake, for those who have been to take the common of these largest video games excluding 2021, the common comes out to 187.2. So if Evans has one other monster sport in him throughout his return and might get to 187, this might put him at 522 yards on the season with six video games remaining, needing 478 extra yards to go. That instantly bumps the common yards per sport crucial from 95 yards to 80 yards. Nonetheless not simple, however barely extra attainable.
Hopefully the Bucs are in a situation the place they’re nonetheless fearful about profitable as a lot as they’re about getting Evans his document. A few of this naturally falls on quarterback Baker Mayfield, who’s the one accountable for getting Evans the ball. Mayfield is conscious of the state of affairs, but in addition is aware of how the wins will go a good distance as additionally they regulate Evans chasing historical past and including to his Corridor of Fame profession.
“You guys have been round Mike for lengthy sufficient now,” Mayfield mentioned. “The streak – yeah, it’s vital to us, however he cares about profitable. He’s an enormous a part of this offense when he’s in there, so I feel that can come naturally. I’ve been within the state of affairs if you’re attempting to force-feed the ball to a man and that’s not how this offense works particularly, so staying true to the reads. Protection, like I mentioned, dictates the place the ball must go. When we’ve got our one-on-one matchups with him, we have to reap the benefits of it.”
