The Bucs vs Saints rivalry has had a ton of epic moments over the past few years. But one of the biggest matchups has been between Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans and Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Last year, Evans had just six catches for 69 yards in three games against New Orleans. 64 of those yards came in garbage time during the 38-3 loss. However, he did catch two short touchdowns in goal line situations. Since 2019, Evans has 10 catches for 133 yards in five games against the Saints.

Lattimore has shadowed Evans during the majority of snaps in that time span. That was the case again on Sunday, but with different results. The eighth-year pro caught just two passes for 48 yards, one of which was a 41-yard touchdown. He beat Lattimore badly on the play, forcing the cornerback to commit pass interference.

“Mike was open a bunch,” Arians said on Bucs Total Access. “Chris [Godwin] was having such a big game, as a quarterback you get a little enamored and you stay away from a guy. Mike really owned him (Lattimore) in this game.”

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The tape backs up Arians’ words more than the box score. Evans got open twice more for potential big plays in the game, but without a completion. Early in the second quarter, the Pro Bowl receiver raced past Lattimore for what should have been a 44-yard touchdown. Recognizing he was beat, Lattimore grabbed Evans’ arm, knocking him off balance. The contact slowed Evans enough that he couldn’t reach the long ball.

“It was a shame because we were wide open for a touchdown and [Evans] got grabbed,” Arians said on Bucs Total Access. “Again, no call. That knocked him off just enough. That would’ve been another big 50-yard touchdown. So I thought Mike played really well.”

Evans has 39 catches for 544 yards and eight touchdowns on the season. He’s on pace for 83 catches for 1,156 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. 17 scores would shatter the big receiver’s franchise record of 13 touchdowns set last season. Evans faces Lattimore next on December 19 in Week 15.

You can listen to the tremendous entirety of Bucs Total Access with Casey Phillips right here.