Jameis Winston was once the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. After five seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Winston has served as a backup for the New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants over the past seven seasons. Winston is now in his second season as New York’s backup quarterback, but after Jaxson Dart’s season-ending injury, he’s the Giants’ starter.
On Sunday, Winston will lead the 3-1 Giants into Northwest Stadium to face the 1-3 Washington Commanders. Winston is 2-0 as a starter this season, despite completing only 55% of his passes for 479 passing yards, with three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Winston has appeared in 111 games in his career, including 91 starts. He’s 38-53 as a starter. One criticism throughout Winston’s career has been his turnovers. He has 116 career interceptions. On Sunday, for Washington to pick up its first divisional win, it will need to keep its recent turnover streak alive. Over the last two games, the Commanders have forced five turnovers.
Winston certainly creates opportunities for turnovers. But don’t tell that to Washington defensive coordinator Daronte Jones.
“Well, that same guy is also prone to making big plays,” Jone said with a laugh. “So, and he’s done that in his career, which is why obviously it’s not a one-way street with Jameis. Jameis is a guy who is high risk, high reward, and because of his reward and the things and the plays that he’s made in his profession is why he’s still doing the things he’s doing now, and especially for the New York Giants and why they’re where they are right now is because of a lot of him and providing those opportunities. And so, we can’t be mindful of ‘yeah, he’s gonna turn the ball over’. He can also put four or five touchdowns on you in a heartbeat, which I’ve experienced back at the [Cincinnati] Bengals, back at the [Miami] Dolphins, and even with the [Minnesota] Vikings when he came in with the [New Orleans] Saints, when Derek Carr got injured. So, his strength is his ability to one-snap and clear, and that’s dangerous for an opponent because whether it’s a great play or not, he can move on. Whether it’s a bad play, he can move on.”
Jones is correct. Winston is as capable of making a big play for the Giants as he is for the opposition. That’s the roller coaster that is Winston. It’s also why you can’t take him lightly. He’s unafraid to make any throw on the field. He can throw the Giants into a game, or out of a game.
So while that was a pertinent question, Jones was not about to take the bait. Which Winston will we see on Sunday?
Fortunately for the Commanders, starting quarterback Jayden Daniels will return after a two-game absence.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders DC Daronte Jones not taking the bait with Giants’ Jameis Winston