The hyped Lattimore-Evans matchup fizzled from the Washington perspective. The former NFC South rivals with a feisty rivalry involving fights, ejections and a suspension figured to be a back-and-forth battle. Instead, Evans dominated, catching all seven of his targets for 92 yards and a 1-yard touchdown.
Most of the production went against Lattimore in his return to action after missing two games with a lingering hamstring injury. The cornerback was flagged for two pass interference penalties, including one blatant hug on Evans in the end zone. The hulking receiver’s touchdown came on the next play.
The Commanders’ coaching staff adjusted soon after. Lattimore sat out some plays on Tampa Bay’s second drive but he was on the field for Bucky Irving’s 4-yard touchdown catch. He just wasn’t on Evans. Instead of traveling with the Bucs’ big man, Lattimore stayed on the right side.
Upon making the trade deadline deal for the four-time Pro Bowler that sent 2025 third and fourth picks to New Orleans, this wasn’t what Washington envisioned. The hamstring cost Lattimore six regular-season games for the Commanders, one more than the number of pass-interference penalties called on Lattimore in his last two games.
This trade was not viewed as a short-term play. Lattimore’s contract runs through 2026, though no guaranteed money remains for the final two years.
