TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans went over 1,000 yards receiving for the 11th consecutive season Sunday, tying Hall of Famer Jerry Rice’s NFL record.
Evans reached the milestone on a 9-yard reception from Baker Mayfield on the final play of the Buccaneers’ playoff-clinching 27-19 victory over the New Orleans Saints. The 31-year-old receiver finished with nine catches for 89 yards, boosting his season totals to 74 receptions for 1,004 yards.
The seventh overall pick from the 2014 draft, Evans holds every significant receiving record in franchise history. He’s also the team’s all-time scoring leader and on Sunday broke a tie with Hall of Famer Randy Moss for the second-most 1,000-yard receiving seasons in NFL history.
Rice, who had 1,000-plus yards receiving in 11 consecutive seasons from 1986 to 1996, is the all-time leader with 14.
Evans is the only player in league history to begin a career with 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons. He reached the milestone this season despite missing three full games and most of a fourth with a hamstring injury that sidelined him for much of a four-game losing streak that threatened to undermine Tampa Bay’s bid for a fourth straight NFC South title.
Sunday’s victory was the team’s sixth in seven games and not only clinched the division title, but ensured Tampa Bay will begin the playoffs with a home game.
Evans began the day needing 85 yards to reach 1,000. He had three catches for 30 yards — leaving him 5 yards shy — on a 12-play, 94-yard that rookie Bucky Irving finished with a 11-yard touchdown run with 1:51 remaining.
The Bucs defense helped Evans get the record, stopping New Orleans on downs with 36 seconds remaining.
Mayfield threw a quick pass to Evans on the next play, and Evans turned it into a 9-yard gain that off a wild celebration at Raymond James Stadium.
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