LOS ANGELES, CA — The game of the week between the Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Bucs and Los Angeles Rams could be epic and a preview to the NFC Championship, and two weapons not named Tom Brady could have a profound impact in the game in wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
“Thank God they’re both healthy right now, two pro bowl players who are totally unselfish,” Bucs head coach Bruce Arians describing Godwin and Evans. “They just want to win (and) they do their jobs, they don’t care how many balls they catch or there is never a lip poked out, they just want to win ball games.”
With plenty of duos around the league such as DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett (Seahawks), Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods (Rams), but only a few are as lethal as Godwin and Evans have been the last two weeks. Last season the two battled through injuries yet were able to return in time to help the Bucs capture a Super Bowl title with arguable the greatest quarterback of all time Brady making sure they get the ball and move the chains. Evans against the Dallas Cowboys had 3 receptions for 24 yards, and last Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons he finished with 5 receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns.
Godwin in his first two games of the season have a total of 13 receptions for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Evans has been the most complete and dominate receiver in the NFL, while Godwin the most incredible player in the league at his position.
These two have given defensive coordinators nightmares each time the Bucs have faced opponents.
“You got to give those guys individual credit first,” Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris said. “Mike Evans being big, physical, strong and absolutely he’s gotten his foot work better in order to be able to release, use his hands, do some of those things. Just over the years, he’s gotten better throughout the process.
“When you’re talking about (Chris) Godwin, you’re talking about a guy that came into the league as a mover, as a guy that can separate and really became this feature blocker in the beginning of his career, now developed into an all-around wide out that’s just a true baller.“
Safety Jordan Fuller understands the task at hand and how to keep your eyes on them in order to attempt to contain them during the game on Sunday.
“They’re very talented and they all compliment each other well,” Fuller said. “They all have different strengths and abilities and they have a great quarterback that’s throwing to them. They’re definitely tough to go up against….very talented players.”
As the Rams continues to focus on stopping the run, Evans and Godwin will be a thorn in their side all game long and if the Rams aren’t careful. Both Evans and Godwin could rack up yards and touchdowns in a game that could later on in the season determine who wins the NFC this season.
