The Buccaneers and Commanders’ wild-card matchup looked like a big-ticket item for myriad reasons. Few had the appeal of witnessing Mike Evans and Marshon Lattimore rekindle their rivalry, however.
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With Evans still producing at an impressive level and Lattimore finally healthy, fans were certain to see fireworks of some sort emerge from the Raymond James Stadium pasture. The tension between Evans and Lattimore finally came to a head at the end of the first half in a one-on-one battle that would make Voltaire and Rousseau’s feud look amateur.
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Here’s what you need to know.
Mike Evans TD vs. Marshon Lattimore
Evans and Lattimore clash horns once more, this time at the end of the second quarter of Sunday night’s playoff game. The Tampa Bay wideout and Washington cornerback were matched up with one another as the Buccaneers worked their way down the field before the clock struck zero.
This chapter of their longstanding feud resulted in a decisive Evans victory. Evans reeled in three catches on four targets on Tampa’s final drive of the half — all of which occurred with Lattimore marking him.
First, Evans evaded Lattimore’s surveillance to push the Bucs into Washington territory. Then, he slalomed past Lattimore for a 20-yard gain to get Tampa into the red zone.
His next feat involved coaxing Lattimore into committing defensive pass interference, although both parties had a hold of one another.
Mike Evans and Marshon Lattimore beefing it out over defensive pass interference or offensive, this is great ? pic.twitter.com/hqkYmmXCLH
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) January 13, 2025
That set up first-and-goal at Washington’s one-yard line. Evans has made a career of leaping high to corral throws in goal-line situations. This time, he went for the slant, displacing Lattimore at the line of scrimmage before snagging Mayfield’s pass for six.
Baker ➡️ Evans. No doubt ?
?: #WASvsTB on NBC
?: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/bqf7cTWeTp— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025
Evans was hyped, Lattimore was dismayed, and Buccaneers fans were loud. Cannon fire roared in the distance as raptures unfolded in the concourses.
The moment — and the drive that preceded it — was notable for a number of reasons. Not only did Evans outgun his longtime adversary, but he also did so after he effectively called his own shot, according to Cris Collinsworth. The NBC ‘Sunday Night Football’ analyst said during the game that Lattimore rebuffed head coach Dan Quinn’s preferred game plan, which called on Washington to abandon one-on-one coverage on Evans, instead demanding the assignment.
Evans continued to show out as the game wore on, finishing his night with seven catches, 92 yards and that all-important score.
However, Evans’ exploits weren’t enough to guide the Bucs to victory. The night, instead, belonged to Jayden Daniels, Zane Gonzalez and the Commanders — even if Lattimore wasn’t the most effective contributor in the process.
Evans won the battle. But Lattimore won the war, at least this time around. Whenever their paths cross again, expect plenty of vitriol to be exchanged. It wouldn’t be a rivalry any other way.