NFL Power Rankings: 7 Best wide receivers in Conference Championships
6. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Season Stats: 70 receptions, 1,006 yards, 13 touchdowns
The personal beef between Mike Evans and Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore saw another chapter added to its story last week. Evans out-muscled Lattimore for a three-yard score but it was Evans’ only catch on the day, marking the third time this year the Saints held Evans in check.
While Lattimore’s coverage certainly played a part, Evans saw only three targets throughout the game, outpaced by Chris Godwin, Cameron Brate, Rob Gronkowski and Leonard Fournette.
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Unfortunately for Bucs fans, he will likely draw the assignment of Jaire Alexander, who held him for just one catch for 10 yards in their previous meeting this season. If the Bucs are going to leave Lambeau with a win, Evans is going to have to do a better job winning routes and creating early separation so everything isn’t a jump ball.
The silver lining for Tampa Bay is that Evans has accounted for 181 yards and two touchdowns in games following a matchup with New Orleans, showing his ability to bounce back after a rough outing.
5. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Season Stats: 65 receptions, 840 yards, 7 touchdowns
Staying in Tampa Bay, Chris Godwin had a bit of a down year with respect to his production last season. Part of that can be attributed to missed time and playing with a lingering thumb injury. However, the fact remains that, with the ball in his hands, he is Tampa’s most dynamic playmaker.
The problem for Godwin thus far, has been getting the ball to stay in his hands. He leads all receivers with six drops in the playoffs, no other player has more than three.
With how quickly things escalated in their last meeting; Tampa Bay relied on the running game and mostly chewed clock, accounting for only 166 yards through the air. However, it is worth noting that Godwin was responsible for nearly 30 percent of that total.
With Pro-Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander likely shadowing Godwin’s running mate, Evans, and Antonio Brown ruled out, Godwin finds himself in prime position to see a heavy workload. Look for Tom Brady to find Godwin early and often as the Bucs will need him to have a monster afternoon if they are to keep pace with the Packer offense.