3. November 16, 2014 | Week 11 2014 @ WAS | Tampa Bay 27, Washington 7
Stat Line: 7 receptions, 209 yards, 2 TDs
Evans’ first season got off to a strong start, racking up 585 yards and five touchdowns in his first eight games. Coming off back-to-back performances of 100-plus receiving yards, he put on a show in the nation’s capital.
Washington was physically unable to contain him. Evans’ first catch came on a 2nd-and-20 in the second quarter when he torched single coverage for a 51-yard gain. His first touchdown came with four minutes left to go in the third quarter when Josh McCown found him wide open behind two defenders, striding to the end zone. Evan’s final touchdown was early in the fourth quarter, a 56-yard pass that led him to the promised land. When it was all said and done, Evans finished with 209 receiving yards—the highest single-game total of his career. The rookie had himself a day.
2. January 1, 2023 | Week 17 2022 vs CAR | Tampa Bay 30, Carolina 24
Stat Line: 10 receptions, 207 yards, 3 TDs
With the opportunity to clinch the NFC South late in the season, Evans dominated. The game got off to a rocky start, with the Panthers taking a 14-0 lead. With two minutes left in the half, Evans cut into the lead after Tom Brady hit him in stride en route to a 63-yard score. Still, the Bucs found themselves down 21-10 in the fourth quarter. The team needed to act fast.
Act fast, they did. Tampa Bay went on a three-play, 75-yard drive, capitalized with a 57-yard Evans touchdown. Carolina only mustered 12 yards on their next drive and punted the ball back to the Bucs. Tampa Bay took the lead on a methodical 92-yard drive where Evans scored for the third time. They held onto the lead and became division champions for the second-straight season.
Evans’ 207-yard performance sparked the comeback and is the second-highest single-game receiving total of his career. His three touchdowns tied the most for a single game in his career. It was Evans’ third career game with three house calls, joining his performances against the Giants in 2019 and the Bears in 2021.
1. January 5, 2025 | Week 18 2024 vs NO | Tampa Bay 27, New Orleans 19
Stat Line: 9 receptions, 89 yards
The Bucs entered the final game of the 2024 regular season with two goals: win the NFC South and help Evans reach 1,000 receiving yards. A win over New Orleans would secure Tampa Bay’s fifth consecutive playoff berth. Additionally, Evans needed 85 more yards to reach 1,000 for the season—marking his 11th-consecutive year hitting that milestone. There was a lot on the line in Raymond James Stadium.
It was a back-and-forth game, with the Saints controlling the lead for the majority. The Bucs regained the lead with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. The defense did their job and got the ball back for their offense with seven minutes remaining. Evans brought in his eighth catch of the game for 12 yards, bringing his game total to 80 yards— five away from history. However, the drive ended in a Bucky Irving touchdown with Evans not catching another pass.
It seemed impossible. Down 27-19 with 1:51 left, the Saints got the ball back with the opportunity to tie the game. Spencer Rattler fired off three-straight first downs and used a timeout with 0:59 on the clock. Then, the defense stood their ground. The Saints threw four-straight incompletions, giving the Buccaneers one last chance to get the ball to Evans.
With 0:36 seconds left in the fourth, the Bucs knew what they had to do. They called a passing play, schemed Evans open and Baker Mayfield got him the ball: a nine-yard reception. Tampa Bay rejoiced.
Although there are undoubtedly other games with more eye-popping numbers, no fan will forget the moment Evans surpassed 1,000 yards for the 11th-straight season.