Todd Bowles isn’t the only one in Tampa Bay excited about Week 1. So is Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans, who loves man-to-man coverage and loves playing Washington.
Evans will get both on Sunday.
“I’m the X receiver so it’s a little easier for me because I’m going to be singled up a lot,” said Evans on Thursday, via Pewter Report.
With more reps, Evans expects his chemistry with quarterback Baker Mayfield to reach a new level in their second year together.
“He can just know how they’re playing me and I’ll know the coverages as well. It’s things we’ve worked on in practice. It’s just timing and being together for the long run.”
Tampa Bay hosts the Commanders (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX) to begin Evans’ 11th NFL season. And during those 11 seasons, he’s dominated no opponent like he has Washington. In five games, Evans has averaged 121.0 receiving yards per contest among several gaudy numbers against Washington, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post.
Now, the five-time Pro Bowler gets an exclusive role in Liam Coen’s new offense, an offense in which fellow receiver Chris Godwin expects to score more touchdowns.