ATLANTA -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Mike Evans needed two touchdown receptions to tie Don Hutson for 11th on the NFL's all-time TD receptions list Thursday, and Evans accomplished that in the first half against the Atlanta Falcons.
After scoring his 100th career TD, Mike Evans made sure a big @Buccaneers fan got a piece of history 👏#TBvsATL on Prime Video
— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2024
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/T2lxXdFUsu
Evans' 99th career touchdown reception was a 23-yard pass from Baker Mayfield as Tampa reclaimed the lead, 17-14. Evans has 100 total touchdowns, including a fumble recovery return.
Mayfield threw his third TD of the half when he found Sterling Shepard in the end zone for a four-yard score with 1:56 left in the second quarter.
After surrendering an opening drive touchdown to Drake London and the Falcons, the Bucs responded with a 2-yard touchdown strike from Mayfield to Evans to make it 7-7.
On the play, which had Mayfield moving to his right and throwing across his body, he found an isolated Evans on a crossing route with the middle of the field wide open as both Bucky Irving and Rachaad White moved across the back side of the formation, Chris Godwin and Cade Otton lined up on the right.
When you find @MikeEvans13_ WIDE OPEN in the end zone 🙌 Bucs tie it up!#TBvsATL on Prime Video
— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2024
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/16tqnhhNSO
The Bucs had gone 22 consecutive weeks without scoring an opening-drive touchdown before last week's game against the Philadelphia Eagles and have managed to now do it two weeks in a row.
The Bucs tacked on a 53-yard field goal with 1:22 remaining in the first quarter to extend their lead to 10-7.