Buccaneers: Jameis Winston is a a true enigma under center

Jameis Winston leads a Buccaneers comeback thriller against the Colts in dramatic fashion. But did the comeback start with him in the first place?

A game with fringe-playoff implications was duked out in Tampa, Florida yesterday afternoon. Somehow the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, after giving up four turnovers, managed to scrum away a victory from the Indianapolis Colts. Leading that heroic charge was none other than Jameis Winston

Winston, who currently leads the NFL in touchdowns as well as interceptions charged the Buccaneers down the field for the game winning score and finished the game with over 450 yards passing. Enigmatic indeed, Winston was the sole reason for the worry and eventual triumph Bucs fans would feel after getting himself in and out of his own mishaps. This time, however, the fifth year quarterback had just enough luck to get the job done.

Is he Jekyll or Hyde?

Its one or the other with Winston. Tactical risk-taker or the teams’ setback. Yesterday, Jameis played both roles numerous times. Only, his tactical risk-taker side paid off for him this afternoon when he needed it too. The former Heisman winner completed 33/45 passes for an absurd 456 passing yards, to go along with five touchdowns and three interceptions.

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A quintessential Big 12 quarterback stat line if you ask me. But Jameis put up these numbers against a very respectable Colts defense. And did it with his number one wideout for the majority of the game. The truth is, he played very well.

But of course there’s always the good and the bad. In a way, Jameis controlled the games narrative. Heroic touchdown. Deflating interception. Repeat. It’s become an exhaustive habit of his. Today, the habit secured a win and inched him toward job security and a long-term contract.

But what will the next three weeks bring? The tactical risk taker or the team setback? Yes, Winston will leave satisfied with a win for the team, but it’s almost impossible for him not to think of his looming contract situation coming up.

Winston is what he is what he is.

The above tweet fully perfectly describes what Bucs fans deal with. Since joining the league in 2015 as the first overall pick, the Alabama native leads the NFL in turnovers as well as interceptions, according to Pro Football Talk. Not a good mix.

He’s also had moments like today’s iconic shootout game against Indianapolis where he can make you a believer. But after a five year sample size, the one thing that has yet to leave Jameis’ past is his penchant to throw interceptions. And how can a fan base continue to celebrate comeback wins from a guy who puts the team in that position in the first place?

Rescuing yourself isn’t ideal for an NFL quarterback, but Jameis Winston’s career so far has been nothing short of an enigma. Some great, some bad, yet not enough to pin down his potential. December will determine a lot.