Winston went 16-for-29 for 171 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 23-20 overtime victory over the Falcons. He also gained 24 yards and scored a touchdown on three rushes.
For a game in which he posted a fairly ordinary stat line, Winston's performance offered plenty of reasons for encouragement. The rookie quarterback was quietly efficient on a day in which he was forced to operate without two of his top three receivers and in which starting tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins spent yet another week on the sidelines. Winston displayed the poise and adaptability of a seasoned veteran, completing passes to seven different receivers. He also flashed some savvy running skills on his four-yard touchdown rush in the opening possession of the second half, and converted three third downs on the opening possession of overtime to help the Bucs get into range for what turned out to be the game-winning field goal. Winston will have a juicy matchup in Week 9 against a Giants defense that surrendered an NFL-record seven touchdowns to Drew Brees on Sunday.