The biggest storyline for the Bucks coming off their bye week is whether they can find a way to dig out of their 4-6 hole and reach the postseason once again. A big help for the team in getting back on track is the return of star wide receiver Mike Evans, who missed the last three games with a hamstring injury.
Mike Evans, the best offensive player in Bucs history, instantly improves Tampa Bay’s offense with his presence alone. Since his departure, the passing game has gone through tight end Cade Otton with short contributions from other receivers. If Evans returns, he would be a top target and provide the momentum the team needs right now to make the playoffs.
Bucks WR Mike Evans and Sterling Shepard – Photo courtesy of USA Today
“This is huge considering the chances,” Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield said. “We’ve been talking about taking explosive plays and creating that somehow, and we’ve been trying to adjust some things in that plan. That threat in one-on-one coverage. It’s a huge thing to be able to get that and then be able to take advantage of that and then open things up for other players when they want to double cover it. When you do, that’s always a big factor.”
That is, of course, if he is healthy enough to play. This bye week certainly allowed him to come back sooner because he didn’t have to play another game without Mike Evans. he was Listed as Substantively RestrictedThat will happen on Wednesday, but most signs point to Evans returning when the Bucks play the Giants on Sunday.
“Mike has that tendency,” head coach Todd Bowles said. “Let’s see how he does the rest of the week.”
“As far as I can see, it’s a good thing and the right thing to do.” [from] “Talking to him, he seems very positive about this,” Mayfield said. “So, as you all know, Mike is a professional. He’s going to go back out there with us and do everything he can to fight for this team, game by game.”
Mike Evans’ 1,000-yard streak remains with Bucs
The subplot after the Bucs’ main story is whether Mike Evans can continue to build his record and tie another. He currently holds the NFL record for most consecutive starts with 1,000 receiving yards in 10 seasons. This is his own record, but he is 1,000 yards away from tying Jerry Rice’s record for most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons at age 11.
Bucks WR Mike Evans – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Evans has 335 yards on the year with seven games left. He is 665 yards away from reaching 1,000 yards, meaning he needs to average 95 yards per game over the remaining games to get there. It’s not impossible, but it would be very difficult. If the Bucs drop one of their next three games and are eliminated from the playoff race, this could be the only major storyline left if Tampa Bay has nothing else to play for.
In a perfect world, the Bucks would win or win enough games to make the postseason, while Mike Evans would also be able to put up numbers. Knowing how important Evans is to the organization, the Bucs went too far in giving him the ball just to get his record, even if his reading of the play wasn’t right. Will it be?
“No, I don’t think that’s a concern,” Todd Bowles said. “We’re trying to win ballgames. Mike is a big part of the offensive line, so when he comes back he’ll be playing games. We’re going to go from there – if they We’ll see how they play us and take it from there.”
Mike Evans has always been a team-first guy and wants to trade his stats to win another Super Bowl. There is no need to doubt what he wants most. And he will be the centerpiece of the offense, so if the Bucks are going to score, Evans will likely be the reason.
The best way for Evans to reach 1,000 yards would be to have a monster game. Right out of the gate this Sunday Either against the Giants or next week against the Panthers. In five of the last six seasons, Evans has had at least one single game with at least 170 receiving yards. The exception was 2021, when his biggest game was 113. The numbers are:
2023: 171 (Week 2 vs. Bears)
2022: 207 (Week vs. Panthers)
2021: 113 (Week 5 vs. Dolphins)
2020: 181 (Lions Week 16)
2019: 198 (Week 8 at Titans)
2018: 179 (Week 8 at Bengals)
Bucks WR Mike Evans Photo courtesy of USA Today
For reference, if you take the average of these big games excluding 2021, the average is 187.2. So if Evans has another monster game during his return and can get to 187 yards, he would have 522 yards with six games left in the season and needs 478 more. This instantly increases the average yards needed per game from 95 to 80 yards. It’s still not easy, but it’s a little more achievable.
I hope we’re in a scenario where the Bucks are still as concerned about winning as they are about achieving Evans’ record. Part of that, of course, falls on quarterback Baker Mayfield, who will be tasked with getting the ball to Evans. Mayfield is aware of the situation, but he also knows how a win could have a big impact as Evans looks to follow history and add to his Hall of Fame career.
“You guys have been around the microphone long enough,” Mayfield said. “The winning streak is important for us, for sure, but he cares about winning. He’s a big part of this offense when he’s out there, so I think it comes naturally to the players. I find myself in a situation where I try to force feed the ball. I’ve done that before, but that doesn’t happen, especially with this offense, so just stick to your reads. Like I said, the defense decides where the ball should go. You play him one-on-one. When you do, you need to take advantage of it.”
