TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans became the Bucs’ all-time leading scorer with an opening-drive touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday — the first opening-drive touchdown for the Bucs since Week 18 of the 2022 season.
The Bucs were the only NFL team to not have a touchdown on the opening drive from the start of the 2023 season through Week 3 of the 2024 season, according to ESPN Research.
Baker to Trey Palmer! Bucs go up 14-0.
📺: #PHIvsTB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/HH5869xGoi— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
Going with a three-receiver set, quarterback Baker Mayfield connected with Evans in the corner of the end zone on an out route for a 2-yard score. Chris Godwin ran a slant and rookie Kameron Johnson ran a hitch, leaving Evans one-on-one with C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
The previous record holder for most points scored was kicker Martin Gramatica, who had 592 career points. He joins Pro Football Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith as the only non-kickers in NFL history to lead a franchise in points score.
On the Bucs’ very next possession, after a 28-yard reception from Godwin and a 17-yard pickup from Evans, Mayfield connected with second-year receiver Trey Palmer on a 15-yard touchdown to make it 14-0. it marked the first time the Bucs scored on their first two possessions since Dec. 5, 2021.
Baker to Mike Evans!
📺: #PHIvsTB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/Zvf6IYdEb7— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
