Mike Evans’ Top 10 Catches From 2018, Pt. II

These are impressive.

By Evan Winter@evan_winter Jul 4, 2019, 11:30am EDT

These are the top 5 catches from Mike Evans’ 2018 season. If you missed part one, check it out here.

I hate to gloat, but this was so much fun.

Mike Evans is one of my favorite players, so it’s always nice to take advantage of the opportunity to watch his film and see what he can do on the football field.

Like the first part of the countdown, these were not easy, but I think you’ll enjoy it anyway!

5. Week 8 - at Cincinnati Bengals - CINCY28 - 72yd TD reception

Let me just say this, I’m glad I had this guy in my fantasy lineup for this game.

This is one is pretty simple, yet it resulted in the longest reception of Evans’ career. He is able to fool the Bengals’ safety off the double move and Ryan Fitzpatrick does a great job of manipulating the defender with his eyes just long enough to completely sell the in route.

Evans does the rest, using fluid hips to break back outside and become wide open for the easy score.

4. Week 17 - vs Atlanta Falcons - 2nd and 8 ATL19 - 19yd TD reception

With postseason hopes officially dead, the Bucs were playing for pride in Week 17 against their division rival. Evans was able to get the scoring started with a beautiful toe-tapper in the right corner of the end zone.

It’s just a simple fade route that is perfectly executed on both Jameis Winston’s and Evans’ end.

They just make it look so easy sometimes.

This is an extremely impressive catch given the limited amount of room that Evans has to work with.

And here’s the close-up of the toe-tap that we all need in our lives:

3. Week 1 - at New Orleans Saints - 3rd and 6 NO50 - 50yd TD reception

This one is the revenge catch.

Remember when Evans and Marshon Lattimore went at it in 2017? Remember when Lattimore shut him down in both contests?

Well, I think it’s suffice to say that Mike clapped back on this play.

He just blows by Lattimore like it’s nothing at the line of scrimmage and is able to concentrate enough to make the over-the-shoulder catch on the perfect throw from Fitzpatrick.

Lattimore subsequently faceplants as he desperately tries to save six points from going on the board.

Oh how sweet it is.

2. Week 3 - vs Pittsburgh Steelers - 1st and 10 TB44 - 51yd reception

Two straight interceptions from Ryan Fitzpatrick had the Bucs looking for a spark. They were down 23-7 in the second quarter and were also in the midst of a Steelers’ scoring spree.

Fitzpatrick, making one his best throws of the season, was able to hit Evans perfectly in stride down the right side of the field for the big gain.

Evans’ concentration is something to behold on this play. He is able to track the ball and make the catch while the safety is closing in for the kill. It’s a tremendous display of toughness/willingness to take the hit on top of the concentration.

Evans’ speed on this play is on full display here as well.

We’ll start with the broadcast angle on this one since it captures the play perfectly from a close-up vantage point:

And here is the All-22 angle so we can see how the play developed. Evans is at the top of the screen:

1. Week 3 - vs Pittsburgh Steelers - 2nd and 10 PIT24 - 24yd TD rec

Here we are. The Grand Finale. El Ultimo. Fin.

Not only was this an amazing catch, but it helped bring the Bucs within a field goal of the Steelers on Monday Night Football.

Clutch catch + clutch moment + the big stage = best catch.

AND it was a touchdown.

Despite the fact that Ryan Fitzpatrick could’ve put some more air under the ball, it was a relatively easy situation to complete the throw.

I’m no expert, but it looks like Burns was anticipating an inside route from Evans, thus his ill-advised positioning as Evans releases off the line of scrimmage. He appears to be attempting to gain inside leverage, but Evans reads him perfectly and cuts to the out route.

Burns may have also been anticipating some help over the top, as Pittsburgh looks to be in Cover 2 when the ball is snapped. The Steelers also send six on the rush, so their coverage options are limited.

Fitzpatrick sees Sean Davis stay toward the middle of the field and takes the shot. Davis is way too late in providing help for Burns and it’s a wrap from there.