3 Bold predictions for the Buccaneers versus the Falcons

The Buccaneers face off against the Falcons in the final game of the regular season, and here are our bold predictions for the game.

The 2020/21 NFL season has been great fun for a Buccaneers fan. We’re back in the playoffs, in position for a great wild card spot, and could easily earn our first playoff win in over a decade. The end of regular season football comes as a disappointment, but at least we can look forward to a postseason game(s).

In classic Bucs fashion, securing a playoff berth is not enough to simply coast through the final game. While some teams get to sit their starters with playoff positions locked in, Tampa Bay is still going all-in on the last game, which will have some serious implications on the playoffs and on several individual players.

Prediction #1

Mike Evans sets an NFL record

Mike Evans is 40 yards away from setting an NFL record. If you had told anyone during the middle of the season that Evans would be this close going into the final game, you would’ve been laughed at.

Evans felt like an afterthought in the offense most weeks, with players like Scotty Miller getting far more use than one of the best receivers in the NFL. Regardless of his lack of use, Evans continued to be a leader, and now his time has come.

In the past three games, Evans has amassed 347 yards on 19 receptions, which has brought him within striking distance of setting the NFL record for most 1,000-yard seasons to start a career, a title that is currently shared with Randy Moss. That isn’t bad company to keep.

Mike Evans is an incredible man, leader, and teammate, and the Buccaneers need to do everything in their power to help him achieve this accomplishment. It’s the least they owe him for his contributions and loyalty over the years.

Fortunately, 40 yards can easily be just one catch for Evans, so this record could get broken early on in the game.