Buccaneers find the game-changing spark that's been missing almost all year long
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have endured a slew of problems in 2022 and one of the biggest issues has been the lack of connection between Tom Brady and Mike Evans. Well, that all changed Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. The dynamic duo that was responsible for 27 touchdowns from 2020-2021 finally rediscovered their mojo to […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have endured a slew of problems in 2022 and one of the biggest issues has been the lack of connection between Tom Brady and Mike Evans.
Well, that all changed Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. The dynamic duo that was responsible for 27 touchdowns from 2020-2021 finally rediscovered their mojo to the tune of 10 receptions for 207-yards and three touchdowns on 12 targets.
"Mike played awesome, like he always does," Brady said after the game. "I love playing out there with him and he's an amazing player. I've missed him too many times this year, so it was nice to connect with him. Hopefully we can keep that going [and] I think we will."
It was a scintillating performance by both parties and each reception looked more and more like the offensive powerhouse that took the field over the last two seasons.
But most importantly, it resulted in a division-winning victory.
"Everything clicked this week," Todd Bowles told reporters after the game. "He [Brady] had more time to throw the ball down the field [and] people weren't at his feet. He got it down there and Mike [Evans] does what he always does when he has single coverage."
To put things into the proper perspective when it comes to Brady's and Evans' dissolution as a connection: Evans hadn't scored a touchdown since Week 4 coming into this game. Evans' catch percentage was also the lowest its been since 2019, which was the last season before Brady's arrival.
And one doesn't need to go back too far in order to relive Evans' awful drop that would've given the Buccaneers a 7-0 lead over the Panthers in Week 7.
If the offense can play the way it did Sunday against the Panthers, then there is plenty of reason for opposing teams to worry about the Buccaneers in the playoffs. The deep ball is integral to what this team wants to do on offense and Evans' contributions in that regard make or break that aspect of the offense, as we saw.
It's what the Buccaneers offense has missed the most in 2022. But at the same time, the past 17 weeks are just that – the past.
What matters most, now, is the fact that the Buccaneers are in the postseason. And they're heading into the big dance with a decent chunk of momentum after Sunday's win.
"To get 30 points shows us what we could be and what we're trending towards," said Bowles. "Just winning the last game and getting in like this in a playoff atmosphere – it helps us going forward."
Featured image via Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
