Jameis Winston outplayed Drew Brees, leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 26-19 upset over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
Here's what you need to know:
- Winston bounced back in impressive fashion from a disastrous debut last week. He lofted a beautiful pass over a pair of defenders to hit Vincent Jackson for a touchdown, giving the Bucs a 10-7 lead at halftime. His other highlights included a 1-yard touchdown run and a 54-yard toss off one foot to Louis Murphy, setting up a field goal to extend the margin to 23-7 in the third quarter. Although Winston had a rough fourth quarter, the Bucs' defense forced a game-sealing fumble to halt the Saints' comeback attempt.
- The Saints' 2014 malaise continues unabated with their sixth consecutive home-field loss. The offensive line was handled by Gerald McCoy, Jacquies Smith and Clinton McDonald up front, giving Drew Brees little time to throw. Brees uncorked a duck in the third quarter, underthrowing Brandin Cooks for an interception. It may have been the result of a hit the quarterback took in the second quarter, which left him trying to loosen up his throwing shoulder. We noticed last week that Brees and Sean Payton don't seem to trust their wide receivers. That unit struggled again to make plays, this time against a secondary that surrendered a perfect passer rating to Marcus Mariota last week.
- Making his New Orleans debut, C.J. Spiller rotated with Mark Ingram on the first possession of the game. The medical staff planned to alternate hot and cold wraps on his knee through the afternoon, but Spiller stayed on the sideline for the bulk of the final three quarters. An afterthought in the first half, Khiry Robinson injected life into the offense with his burst and physicality in the third quarter.
- The Saints' secondary is in such a chaotic state that former Giants safety Kenny Phillips received extensive playing time after sitting out the entirety of 2013 and 2014 seasons with nagging knee injuries. Delvin Breaux, signed out of the CFL in the offseason, lost the ball in the lights on Murphy's 54-yard catch. Breaux was guilty of four penalties versus the Cardinals last week. Jairus Byrd and Keenan Lewis can't return soon enough for defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.
- Although Mike Evans was active after missing the season opener with a hamstring injury, he was a non-factor, failing to reel in all three of his targets. Evans functioned as the No. 3 receiver, losing playing time to Murphy. Provided there's no setback, Evans should regain his No. 2 role next week at Houston.
- Buccaneers kicker Kyle Brindza might just have the strongest leg in the land. He drills 55-yard field goals halfway up the net.
