Lattimore vs. Evans: Playoff Rematch Heats Up in Wild-Card Game

ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore is set to face off against Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans in a highly anticipated playoff rematch Sunday. The wild-card game, scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, marks the latest chapter in a rivalry that has spanned years and multiple on-field altercations.

Lattimore, who missed the Commanders’ final two regular-season games with a hamstring injury, returned to full practice this week and is expected to play. His presence bolsters Washington’s secondary as they prepare to contain Evans, one of the NFL‘s most prolific receivers. Evans recently tied Jerry Rice‘s record with his 11th consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season.

“I feel good; I don’t have no problems now,” Lattimore said after practice Friday. “I won’t really know until I get out there all the way.” The cornerback, acquired by Washington in a midseason trade with the New Orleans Saints, has a history of intense matchups with Evans, including multiple incidents that escalated beyond typical on-field competition.

The rivalry dates back to 2017, when Evans was suspended for one game after decking Lattimore during a confrontation instigated by then-Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston. Since then, the two have clashed repeatedly, with Evans earning another suspension in 2022 for throwing punches during a bench-clearing brawl. Lattimore, meanwhile, was fined in 2020 for shoving Evans from behind.

“I’m just trying to lock him down,” Lattimore said. “All that other stuff, it is what it is… I’m just trying to help my team win.” Evans, for his part, acknowledged the challenge of facing Lattimore. “I just gotta be at my best. Because he’s a really good player,” Evans told reporters this week. “Obviously, we’ve had a lot of matchups. We know each other really well.”

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn emphasized the importance of the matchup. “There’s definitely matchups all over the field that make a difference in winning and losing, and these are two elite competitors,” Quinn said. “It’s honestly what makes coaching so much fun.”

Lattimore’s return comes at a critical time for Washington, which traded three draft picks to acquire him in hopes of bolstering their playoff defense. Despite limited playing time with the Commanders due to injuries, Lattimore has shown flashes of his Pro Bowl-caliber talent. In 13 career matchups against Evans, he has held the receiver to an average of 2.6 catches for 43.6 yards per game.

As the two prepare to square off once again, both players and coaches are focused on keeping the competition within the bounds of the game. “Long as it’s within the play,” Evans said of his battles with Lattimore. “I’ve done a bad job in the past of making it go over the play when I shouldn’t have. But I’m more mature now.”

Sunday’s game promises to be a test of skill, strategy, and restraint as Lattimore and Evans renew their storied rivalry on the NFL’s biggest stage.