TAMPA, Fla. -- The Buccaneers got a surge of life in the first half against the Washington Commanders when franchise-record wide receiver Mike Evans scored a 1-yard touchdown to tie the game at 10-10 just before the half.
The Buccaneers' defense struggled to get off the field with the Commanders having possession for seven more minutes than Tampa Bay and the Bucs trailing 10-3 with 1:52 to go in the first half. But Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 3 of 3 passes for 43 yards and added an 18-yard scramble on the subsequent drive.
Then Evans drew a defensive pass interference penalty on cornerback Marshon Lattimore in the corner of the end zone, advancing the Bucs from Washington's 12-yard line to the 1-yard line. Mayfield then connected with Evans on a slant route against Lattimore.
It was the' sixth postseason touchdown of Evans' career.
The highly anticipated Evans-Lattimore matchup has been one-sided so far despite the Commanders being in control of the first half. Evans has gone 4-for-4 for 55 receiving yards with Lattimore as the nearest defender, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, already the second-most receiving yards Evans has had against Lattimore in his career.
Prior to Sunday, Evans' career best against Lattimore was in Week 1 of the 2018 season when he caught four passes for 115 yards and a touchdown, according to ESPN Research.
