TAMPA, Fla. –The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ first objective in their 27-19 come-from-behind win over the New Orleans Saints was to secure their fourth consecutive NFC South title and fifth trip to the playoffs in the last five seasons.
The Buccaneers also realized the opportunity for wide receiver Mike Evans to surpass 1,000 receiving yards again to tie Jerry Rice in accomplishing this in his 11th consecutive season.
After running back Bucky Irving scored on a 10-yard rush off the right side, Evans had 996 receiving yards and the Bucs held New Orleans on downs and took over on their own 32 with 36 seconds remaining.
Coach Todd Bowles and his staff wanted to make sure Evans had the chance to set his name in history. Offensive coordinator Liam Cohen called a drag route on the left side of the field and Evans caught the pass and turned it into a nine-yard gain.
The Bucs breathed a sigh of release as this was the last play of the game and it allowed Evans to surpass his objective with 1,003 yards.
“We motioned him over to get him open,” noted Bowles. “We did a good job of getting it to him. He’s earned it. He’s done everything for this organization and this team and we’re happy for him.”
Evans was proud of the defense in holding New Orleans on downs which gave him the shot at 1,000 receiving yards.
“They were trying to get off the field and obviously (the Saints) were down eight points, so they were trying to stop them to give me another opportunity to chase history, so I appreciate them for that,” Evans commented.
Evans credited Buccaneers trainer Bobby Slater and the team’s training staff for helping him to get over what he calls “the second worst hamstring injury” of his career.
“He was telling me, every time I was outside running in that heat and running all of the sprints, he kept saying, ‘We are going to get 1,000 yards and we are going to the playoffs.’” said Evans. “I just stuck with it, and we got it done.”
Mayfield discussed the impact and the care that Evans has had on the community with his 11 seasons as a Buccaneer. His highest number of receiving yards was 1,524 in 2018 and his career high in receptions was 96 in 2016.
Tampa Bay struggled throughout the first half although New Orleans played without leading rusher and receiver Alvin Kamara and rookie wideout Chris Olave, who had turned into the most efficient receiver this season.
The Buccaneers were dominated through the first 30 minutes as the Saints outgained Tampa Bay, 231-116 — and controlled the football for 19:15 in the first half.
When New Orleans took a 16-6 lead into halftime, the Bucs had dodged obstacles that could have been an even bigger problem. Antoine Winfield, Jr., Jamel Dean have struggled with injuries and safety Jordan Whitehead suffered an injury in a car accident on Saturday.
New Orleans scored on all four first-half drives, but the Buccaneers’ defense forced Saints kicker Blake Grupe to make field goals on three of those and backup quarterback Spencer Rattler threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Dante Pettis with 7:39 remaining before halftime.
“They came alive in the second half, and they calmed down,” said Bucs head coach Todd Bowles, who saw his defense only give up a field goal in the second half. “That’s the biggest thing. We had three different guys starting in the secondary with the three guys down and they calmed down and played assignment football.”
Tampa Bay changed the momentum and gained control immediately to start the second half. The Bucs maintained the ball for 21:15 while scoring three touchdowns and converted 10-of-16 third downs.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield marched the Buccaneers 72 yards in 10 plays and hit Payne Durham with a 5-yard touchdown pass to cut the Saints’ lead to 16-13.
Tampa Bay’s offense played through five penalties for 45 yards on the eighth drive of the game. Wide receiver Jalen McMillan gave the Buccaneers their first lead as he caught a 32-yard touchdown pass for the 20-19 lead.
Tampa Bay ended its season on a major roll as the Bucs finished 6-1 over their last seven games to nail down the NFC South crown.
“We’re happy to have a home game,” said Bowles. “It doesn’t matter who we play. It’s going to be a tough road ahead, but we’re confident that we can play good ball and we’ll be ready for whoever we play.”
