At 3-3, with a middling offense averaging only just over 20 points a game, Tom Brady’s Buccaneers need all the help they can get. Even in a weak NFC and an overall NFC South, Tampa Bay has not resembled a contender. You know, if Brady really does want to play forever, I’m struggling to think of why he’d want to stick around in Florida.
Sunday saw Brady’s Bucs on the road in Carolina against the Panthers (+13.5), looking to build some positive momentum. And for a moment, with a wide-open Mike Evans streaking downfield early on, it looked like the Buccaneers would open up the floodgates.
There was one problem: Evans inexplicably dropped the biggest “gimme” of a long touchdown (64 yards!) we’ve seen in a while:
Here's video evidence of the dropped pass by Mike Evans.
It would've been a 64-yard TD.pic.twitter.com/zUleqTOa9D https://t.co/Qa6YDBzf5m
— The Riot Report (@RRiotReport) October 23, 2022
Oh, my goodness? I don’t believe my eyes. Evans’ defender fell down! There isn’t even a defender within sight on the broadcast view! And he still … dropped it. What a brutal turn of events for the Buccaneers.
The advanced stats don’t make it any better if you’re in any way connected to Tampa Bay: Evans’ drop might be the statistical worst of the season.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Mike Evans had 10.9 yards of separation to the nearest defender on his drop in the first quarter.
That's the most wide open drop on a pass travelling at least 30 air yards this season. pic.twitter.com/Fk5m7pO1RX
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 23, 2022
That’s how this season has gone for Brady and Co. — unfortunately-timed mishaps at the worst possible moments.