A ridiculous catch by Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans could flip momentum in their divisional-round matchup against the Detroit Lions.
With 0:27 remaining in the second quarter on the Detroit 31-yard line, Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield threw a 29-yard pass to Evans, who managed to stay in bounds and secure the grab. On the ensuing play, Mayfield threw a six-yard TD to tight end Cade Otton, tying the game at 10-10 before halftime.
Mike Evans down to the one-yard line!
— NFL (@NFL) January 21, 2024
: #TBvsDET on NBC
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/frRD38BNYS pic.twitter.com/pRmTJjSDr5
Mayfield to Otton! @Buccaneers tie it up before the half.
— NFL (@NFL) January 21, 2024
: #TBvsDET on NBC
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/frRD38BNYS pic.twitter.com/hzhTtcuhnO
Before the seven-play, 92-yard drive, Tampa Bay's offense was struggling. Mayfield threw an interception on his first drive, and Evans dropped some passes. The fantastic catch is huge in helping the Buccaneers reestablish confidence and rhythm.
Tampa Bay has made four straight playoff appearances. Still, it hasn't made the conference championship since 2020, when future Hall of Famer Tom Brady helped the organization win its second Super Bowl title. The winner of this matchup will face the San Francisco 49ers on Jan. 28.
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