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Mike Evans records 11th straight 1,000-yard season in dramatic fashion, ties Jerry Rice
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Mike Evans has tied Jerry Rice for the longest streak of consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons in NFL history.
On the final play of Sunday’s game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New Orleans Saints, Evans brought in a 9-yard reception to push his season total to 1,003 receiving yards. In doing so, he secured an 11th consecutive 1,000-yard season. The former Texas A&M receiver has gone over 1,000 yards in every single season to begin his NFL career.
The catch also secured a $3 million incentive for Evans as part of his contract. After taking over on downs with 36 seconds to play and an 8-point lead, Tampa Bay opted against kneeling out the clock and instead gave Evans 1 final chance to tie Rice’s record.
Evans ended the day with 9 catches for 89 yards.
There was a point earlier in the year where it seemed like Evans’ pursuit of a record-tying 11th season would end in disappointment. He missed 3 games with a hamstring injury, but since returning in Week 12, Evans has piled up 669 receiving yards.
“Let’s put things in perspective,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said this week, per ESPN’s Jenna Laine. “You’re talking about tying somebody [in Rice] that has all receiving records across the NFL throughout history. You’re talking about somebody that’s consistently been somebody in this community that has raised people up, continued to be the face of this franchise and be there for people, so that record is important for us. To get him to that — obviously, winning is the most important part — but those two things go hand in hand.
“The most important thing is winning, but how I see it playing out — if we win, Mike is getting the record.”
Tampa Bay secured the win with its fourth-down stop on defense. Then it got Evans his record.
In the process, Tampa Bay also secured a fourth consecutive NFC South division title.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
