When the Saints traded Marshon Lattimore two months ago, it took away one of the most personal, nasty rivalries from the NFC South in his longstanding back-and-forth with Bucs receiver Mike Evans. Now, a week after Evans beat the Saints to make the playoffs, that rivalry could get a new chapter. Lattimore has played in only two games since being acquired by the Commanders, but if his hamstring holds up, he’ll have a chance to rekindle a colorful history with Evans in Sunday night’s wild-card matchup in Tampa.
The two have a long history of getting under each other’s skin, with multiple ejections and two one-game suspensions for Evans over the years. Their on-field fighting has led to physical confrontations, with Evans once blindsiding Lattimore and knocking him to the ground. Lattimore has also been flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct and ejected from a game, with Evans following suit.
Despite the animosity, both players have shown respect for each other’s abilities, with Evans calling Lattimore “one of the best cornerbacks in the league.” However, it’s unlikely that Evans will make any public comments about Lattimore this week, as the two have a history of not saying much about each other.
The rivalry between Lattimore and Evans has been a key part of the NFC South for years, with the two teams often battling for division supremacy. The Commanders could definitely use Lattimore on Sunday, as their cornerback depth has been challenged with him on the sidelines. Few teams have held Evans in check over the years like the Saints did with Lattimore, but the Bucs also went to New Orleans in the 2020 playoffs and ended Drew Brees’ career with a win there on the way to a Super Bowl championship.
The stage is set for a physical and intense matchup between Lattimore and Evans, with the two players looking to outdo each other on the field. With the playoffs on the line, it’s likely to be a game for the ages.