The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heading into Week 2 looking to carry over the momentum they generated with their 23-20 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in their season-opener. For star wide receiver Mike Evans, he’s got a bit of extra motivation heading into this game, which could spell bad news for the Bucs’ opponent, the Houston Texans.
Evans has accomplished quite a bit throughout his 12-year NFL career, but sometimes, the losses stand out more than the wins for professional athletes. When it comes to the Texans, that’s the case for Evans, as he revealed he still hasn’t gotten over the Buccaneers‘ loss to them in the 2023 season.
Mike Evans Looking for Payback Against Texans in Week 2
He has revenge on the mind tonight.
Ever since the Buccaneers selected him with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Evans has been arguably the most consistent wide receiver in the league. He has racked up at least 1,000 receiving yards in all 11 seasons of his career so far, earning six Pro Bowl selections and a pair of All-Pro Second Team honors.
Even as he approaches the tail end of his career, Evans has shown no signs of slowing down. He managed to reach the 1,000-yard threshold last season despite missing three games, and he racked up five catches for 51 yards in Week 1 against the Falcons. He won’t have explosive games every week, but when Tampa Bay needs Evans, they can almost always count on him to produce.
And yet, for all Evans has accomplished (which includes a Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs), he can’t get over a 39-37 loss the Bucs suffered in their previous meeting against the Texans in 2023. Heading into a matchup against them on Monday Night Football, Evans made it clear that he is looking for payback after Houston dealt Tampa Bay a brutal loss in the last meeting between the two sides.
“I thought we had the game won,” Evans said when looking back on Tampa Bay’s 2023 matchup with Houston. “In Houston, I’m seeing all the No. 13 jerseys, I see some of my family in the crowd, I’m like, ‘We’re about to win this game,’ and then they broke our heart. I’m usually, especially at the end of my career, I’ve always been a little more composed. I was pissed … It was one of the worst losses I’ve had in my career. Hopefully, we can get some payback.”
Mike Evans, Buccaneers Looking for Second Win of the 2025 Season
GettyTampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans.
The Buccaneers weren’t at their best in Week 1, and if it weren’t for a missed game-tying field goal from Younghoe Koo at the end of the fourth quarter, the game would have been sent to overtime. Part of Tampa Bay’s game plan in Week 2 is going to involve getting Evans going, but that’s going to be easier said than done, as he will likely be shadowed by Houston’s star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. for much of the night.
Evans has proven time and again that he will get going at some point, so chances are the Bucs’ coaching staff isn’t too worried about him. Plus, with Emeka Egbuka exploding for two touchdowns in his NFL debut, quarterback Baker Mayfield has several other options he can work with on offense. Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Monday, and it’s clear Evans is a little more amped up than usual for this contest.
Buccaneers WR Mike Evans Has 1-Word on His Mind Before Texans Game