So Joe was hoping for the Bucs to win in Dallas tonight, especially if the Falcons find a way to beat the struggling Giants at 1 p.m

If the Falcons lose, the Bucs can afford to lose.

But Mike Evans’ streak of 1,000-plus yard seasons is also an underlying theme/concern.

Evans, who is 251 yards shy of 1,000 receiving yards this season, has three games left to extend his streak to 11 years and tie Jerry Rice for the all-time receiving yards record.

So Evans can’t afford any trash tonight.

However, Joe has bigger goals. Joe wants Evans to get the record in the next two games so he can rest in Week 18 when the Bucs are assured of the division title.

Evans cares deeply about the album, but at the same time he doesn’t care.

That was the message TampaBay.com columnist John Romano shared after speaking with Evans.

“I know I can get 1,000 yards every year if I’m healthy and get the ball,” he said. “I’m not going to sit in the dressing room and talk about myself, but I want the damn record. I want it. I want to tie it (this year). I want it to continue.

“I definitely want it, but that doesn’t mean it’s a burden.”

Again, Joe wants Evans to reach 1,000 yards without the need for a heroic Week 18.

If the Bucs have locked up the division before the season finale and Evans needs, say, 143 yards to reach 1,000, then what?

It would be a difficult decision for Evans and the franchise whether to expose Evans to injury before the postseason.

Ira Kaufman talks to Liam Coen about Tampa Bay’s next move, Cowboys-Bucs predictions, locker room talk from Los Angeles, a Todd Bowles shift and more