Mike Evans becomes Bucs’ all-time leading scorer with TD on

Jenna Laine, ESPN Staff WriterSep 29, 2024, 01:49 PM ET

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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
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— 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, giving him 596 points for his career. Chris Godwin ran a slant and rookie Kameron Johnson ran a hitch, leaving Evans one-on-one with C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

The Bucs’ previous record holder for most points scored was kicker Martin Gramatica (592). Evans 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 scored.

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.