Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans and Washington Commanders defensive back Marshon Lattimore renew their spirited rivalry when the two teams face each other in a Wild Card Weekend matchup at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
Mike Evans, Marshon Lattimore Renew Spirited Rivalry Sunday in Tampa Bay
Just before the 2024 NFL trade deadline, the New Orleans Saints sent Lattimore and a fifth-round pick to the Commanders in exchange for 2025 third-, fourth-, and sixth-round picks.
With Lattimore in Washington and the Commanders in Tampa to face the Buccaneers, the rivalry between him and Evans comes to the forefront.
When Lattimore was in New Orleans, he frequently had physical and verbal altercations with Evans, as the two faced each other twice a year in the NFC South.
To the fans’ delight, there have been jousts, fights, suspensions, and other forms of raucous behavior. Sunday night should be no different, and fans are looking forward to it.
Here are some reactions to the news of the cornerback getting cleared to play in the Wild Card round after Lattimore has been battling nagging injuries late in the season:
“Mike Evans gonna cook him,” said a fan.
“It’s about to be a train wreck between Lattimore and Evans,” added another fan.
“The power of hate always wins. Don’t run one three,” said a Commanders fan, referring to Evans’ No. 13 jersey.
“Real hate continues, I respect it,” wrote another fan.
Most recently, in 2022, Evans and Lattimore fought, resulting in a one-game suspension for the Buccaneers’ WR.
The game was tight, and Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady got into a verbal altercation with Lattimore. Brady thought Lattimore interfered with his receiver on a route, and the referees missed the call.
Lattimore went towards Brady, but players got in between them. Former running back Leonard Fournette shoved Lattimore, and more pushing and shoving ensued.
Evans, who was not involved in the play, intervened to protect his quarterback and knocked Lattimore to the ground. Evans was subsequently ejected and suspended.
Evans and Lattimore have played 11 games against each other. Among them, the 31-year-old wideout has recorded over 50 receiving yards in just one game.
Lattimore has limited Evans to 15 receptions for 306 yards and two touchdowns on 29 targets overall. The Buccaneers star has averaged 1.4 receptions and 27.8 receiving yards per game against the 28-year-old cornerback in his career. The two played against each other in Week 6 when Lattimore was still in New Orleans, and Evans finished the game with two receptions for 34 yards on six targets.
In Week 18, the star wide receiver tied the NFL lead for most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with 11, but Evans will have his work cut out for him on Sunday against the Commanders.
With Chris Godwin out, Evans will be quarterback Baker Mayfield’s primary weapon against the Commanders. However, Jalen McMillan has stepped up over the second half of the season, and Tampa Bay will continue to rely on him as well.
Since Week 12, Evans leads the NFL in receiving yards (669), while McMillan is tied for the league lead in receiving touchdowns (seven). Even with Lattimore on the field, the duo of Evans and McMillan will be tough to contain with a trip to the Divisional Round on the line.