Sometimes, there’s that one guy you just can’t get past, no matter how much other guys can. In the case of Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans, one of the most dominant players at his position in the NFL, his arch nemesis is Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore, and this goes back a bit.
Better luck next year https://t.co/Dox6xiDwpN
— Marshon Lattimore (@shonrp2) November 9, 2020
As noted by Pro Football Focus, Evans came into the divisional round of the 2020 season with just nine catches on 20 targets (45.0 completion percentage), and one touchdown against Lattimore over eight games and four seasons.
With 1:33 left in the divisional round matchup — the third between the NFC South rivals this season — Lattimore made an unbelievable play on a deep throw from Tom Brady to Evans, jumping up to prevent what could have been a 51-yard touchdown.
Lattimore shut it down 👀 @shonrp2 @Saints
📺 #TBvsNO on FOX pic.twitter.com/jDQxxEzppx
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) January 18, 2021
And as the dots show, Lattimore had Evans all the way through the route.
Shadow Update: Mike Evans vs Marshon Lattimore
🔹 7 of 9 routes (78% shadow)
🔹 1 target, 0 receptions
🔹 86% press coverage#TBvsNO | #GoBucs | #Saints— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) January 18, 2021
However, after Bucs cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting picked off a Drew Brees pass at the New Orleans 39-yard line and ran it back to the three-yard line, Tom Brady hit Evans in the end zone, and Evans was able to body Lattimore out of the play for the touchdown.
Not even Lattimore can contain Mike Evans in the red zonepic.twitter.com/nR7nFp2tds
— PFF (@PFF) January 18, 2021
The weirdest thing about Lattimore’s lockdown act on Evans is that he’s not able to do it with most other receivers. Per PFF, Lattimore has allowed 49 catches on 84 targets for 666 yards, 174 yards after the catch, seven (now eight) touchdowns, and just two interceptions.
