Marshon Lattimore and Mike Evans constitute the NFL’s longest-running wide receiver-cornerback rivalry. Lattimore seems ready to reignite it, as signaled by his attire while entering Raymond James Stadium prior to tonight’s Washington Commanders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wild Card Round showdown.
Marshon Lattimore Sports ‘Be Careful What You Wish For’ Jacket Before Buccaneers-Commanders Clash
Lattimore walked through the players’ tunnel with what seemed to be a rather nondescript fit for a playoff game. However, when cameras panned to the back of his shirt, the words “Be Careful What You Wish For” came into focus.
Anyone with context about the heated rivalry between Lattimore and the Buccaneers WR figured out that this message was for his arch-nemesis.
He knows his way around this stadium pic.twitter.com/UvyJRIqrMn
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 12, 2025
Lattimore has spent much of the past two months recovering from a hamstring injury sustained soon after his trade to Washington.
The four-time Pro Bowler has only played two games after the New Orleans Saints sent him to the NFC East. He will, however, bring a wealth of experience and physicality to their secondary during this Wild Card Round matchup.
Examining Lattimore and Evans’ Intense Rivalry
Lattimore and Evans have faced each other 13 times during their overlapping NFL tenures. For the most part, the former Saints cornerback has largely had the Houston-born receiver’s number. Evans has averaged 47 yards per game on 2.8 catches in the aforementioned games — nearly a 40% drop from his career average of 75.5 yards per game.
In addition, Evans and Lattimore have butted heads — literally and figuratively — several times. The former Saints CB has gotten the relatively even-tempered Evans to lash out and get himself ejected (and even suspended) more than once.
Mike Evans and Marshon Lattimore have history 👀
•••
(🎥: @NFL) pic.twitter.com/yJ9gHZGl2V— JayOnSC (@JayOnSC) September 19, 2022
During Friday’s press conference, Lattimore downplayed the significance of the matchup.
“It’s just another game, just to go out there and help my team,” Lattimore told reporters. “Really, I’m just trying to lock him down. All the other stuff, it is what it is.”
Evans, on the other hand, has taken it upon himself to ensure he’s ready for the challenge. It’s clear that Evans respects Lattimore despite the tension between the two.
“I’ve just got to be at my best,” Evans said. “I’ve got to give my best, because he’s a really good player. Obviously, we’ve had a lot of really good matchups. If he’s playing, I look forward to the matchup.”
Given that this is one of the few NFL rivalries with real bad blood involved, many fans can’t wait for this highly anticipated battle.
When Evans faced the Commanders in Week 1 of this season, he went off for 61 yards and two touchdowns. However, Lattimore wasn’t on the roster at that point. When he faced Lattimore in Week 6 of this season, Evans had just two catches for 34 yards.