With 2 touchdown receptions, Mike Evans closing in on 100 for career
INDIANAPOLIS — Mike Evans is rewriting the NFL record book and it may be reflective of a new contract he autographs somewhere else next season.
The 30-year-old receiver put the offense on his back at times Sunday, catching six passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns in the Bucs’ 27-20 loss to the Colts.
“Mike plays,” coach Todd Bowles said. “Mike shows up every week. Mike is a warrior. He’s one of the guys who leads us. He’s been like that his whole career. I can’t say enough about the guy.”
Evans’ nine touchdowns this season are second only to Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill (10). But Hill also has 34 more receptions.
Evans got things going Sunday with a 1-yard touchdown reception from Baker Mayfield in the second quarter to cut the Colts’ lead to 17-10. Indianapolis tried to hand Evans off in coverage near the goal line and left him open for an easy score.
“The first touchdown to him, he ran a great route,” Mayfield said. “I think the DBs were a little confused trying to pass off the pattern. ... The second touchdown for Mike was just a good play call. We had run a couple out routes and Mike did a good job of using speed, keeping the safety where he was and then went and got soft leverage.”
Evans’ touchdown receptions were the 89th and 90th of his NFL career. His first score Sunday broke a tie with Don Maynard (88) for the 15th-most touchdown receptions in league history. Evans’ 91 career TDs (which includes a fumble recovery return) surpassed Leroy Kelly and Charley Taylor (90) and tied Davante Adams (active), Isaac Bruce, Tony Dorsett, Edgerrin James, Bobby Mitchell and Ricky Watters for the 32nd-most total touchdowns in league history.
Prior to the season, Evans set a Sept. 9 deadline for negotiating a new contract with the Bucs. He needs only 150 yards for an NFL record 10th straight 1,000-yard receiving season. He is on pace for 1,313 yards receiving and nearly 14 touchdowns.
Notable
Bucs running back Rachaad White had his best rushing game of the season. He carried the ball 15 times for 100 yards, including a season-high 38-yarder. The Bucs combined for 125 yards on the ground and a season-high 6.6 yard average. ... Defensive back Carlton Davis recorded his first interception of the season and the eighth of his career. He had multiple passes defensed in the game for the 16th time in his career. Davis and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. tied for the team lead Sunday with 10 tackles each.
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