Buccaneers aim for Playoff Berth and Historic Milestone Against Saints
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) are poised to secure their fourth consecutive NFC South title and a home playoff game with a victory over the New Orleans Saints this Sunday. the game, airing at 12:55 p.m. on RDS2 and RDS.ca, carries added significance as it presents an possibility for star wide receiver Mike Evans to etch his name in NFL history.
Evans, already the only player to achieve 10 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons to start a career, is on the cusp of tying Hall of Famer Jerry Rice’s record of 11 straight such seasons. With 915 receiving yards entering the final game, Evans needs just 85 yards to match the legendary Rice.
While securing a playoff berth is paramount, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles emphasized the team’s desire to help Evans achieve this remarkable feat. “Winning is our top priority,” Bowles stated. “We’ll do whatever it takes to win, but we’d certainly like to see Mike reach this milestone in the process.”
Quarterback Baker Mayfield echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of supporting their leading receiver and scorer. ”We’re talking about matching a record held by someone who owns virtually every NFL receiving record,” Mayfield remarked. “Mike has been a cornerstone of this team and community, consistently putting the team first. This record is crucial to all of us.”
Mayfield emphasized Evans’ selfless nature, noting that the receiver wouldn’t draw attention to the achievement. “That’s just who Mike is,” Mayfield said. “He’s all about winning and finding ways to contribute to the team’s success.”
The Buccaneers, riding a five-game winning streak in their last six outings, can clinch a fifth consecutive playoff berth with a win against the Saints or a loss by the Atlanta Falcons (8-8) against the Carolina panthers.
The Saints, who have lost their last three games and are winless without injured quarterback Derek Carr, will be playing their first game since the tragic Bourbon Street shooting on New Year’s Day. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi acknowledged the profound impact of the tragedy on the team and the community. “This event brings everything into viewpoint,” Rizzi said. “Our community needs us right now. They need support and healing. we’re here to play for them, for the city of new Orleans, and for the entire state of Louisiana.”
The Saints will rely on rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, who will be making his second NFL start in place of the injured Carr. Rattler’s first start against the Buccaneers earlier this season saw the Saints fall 51-27, with Tampa bay scoring the final 27 points.
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