There was a lot on the line for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, but lost in the playoff scenario sauce was the fact htat Mike Evans was just 85 yards away from tying an all-time record.
Evans has reached 1,000 yards receiving in each of his 10 seasons in the NFL, and was going for an 11th this year that would have tied a record held by Jerry Rice. Much like everything with the Bucs this season, though, it wasn't an easy journey.
A hamstring injury earlier in the season cost Evans three weeks, which meant he needed to ball out over the last seven games of the season to make sure he hit the mark. Thanks to a high-flying Buccaneers offense, he did exactly that and came into Sunday's finale needing just 85 more yards to reach the mark.
It came down to the wire, but Baker Mayfield kept his promise and made sure Evans got there.
Mike Evans ties Jerry Rice's all-time record on the final play of the season
A slow start to the game for the Bucs didn't do Evans many favors but he managed to crawl to 50 yards by the time the game entered the home stretch. Everything was lining up for him to get fed the ball as the Bucs were trailing in a game they needed to win to punch a playoff ticket.
That seemed to be a perfect recipe to get Evans involved, but it was Jalen McMillan who ended up being the one who got dialed up on the go-ahead touchdown drive. That created a situation where Evans was just four yards shy of 1,000 yards with the game already in hand for Tampa Bay.
Instead of running out the clock and securing a fourth straight division title, the Bucs risked it all to keep Evans' streak alive -- and it worked.
On the final play of the game, Evans finally hit the mark.
MIKE EVANS. 1,000 YARDS ONCE AGAIN. pic.twitter.com/V4S7S8APUX
— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025
Evans now needs just one more 1,000 yard season to claim a piece of NFL history. If he reaches the mark next season, which seems likely, he'll be the new all-time leader in a category that feels very uniquely his.
Based on how high-powered Tampa Bay's offense was this year, Evans would have easily gotten to 1,000 yards had he not missed three games. That's part of what makes this moment even more special, though, as it's clear the record meant a lot to not only Evans but the entire team.
A lot has happened this year that would have broken most other teams, but the Bucs have endured and found a way to win. The vibes remain immaculate despite the ups and downs, and the sheer cathartic joy that everyone felt when Evans crossed the mark shows just how tight the locker room is.
The catch got Evans one step closer to history, but it also set the perfect vibes for Tampa Bay heading into the playoffs.
More Tampa Bay Buccaneers news and rumors