Jameis Winston

Jameis Winston Named NFC Offensive Player Of The Week

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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After a slow start to the game, Jameis Winston surged to the tune of 281 passing yards and four touchdowns against the Falcons. Today, he was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

Jameis Winston continues to thrive in the NFL, displaying in week one that his time with Dirk Koetter has only continued to help in his development. Winston today became the first Buccaneer to be named NFC Offensive Player of the Week since Bobby Rainey in 2013. He is also the fourth quarterback in franchise history to receive the honor, joining Steve DeBerg (1987), Vinny Testaverde (1989), and Josh Freeman (2010 – twice). Winston also joins Testaverde and DeBerg as the only Buccaneers to win the NFC Offensive Player of the Week in week one of a season.

Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) drops back to pass in the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Buccaneers won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Winston finished Sunday 23 of 33 for 281 yards, four touchdowns, an interception, and a 122.6 passer rating. This was the second most touchdown passes Winston has had in a game, falling one shy of the five he threw against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015. He ranks tenth on the all time passing touchdown list in franchise history with 26.

This is a monumental step for Winston as his development continues. Winston was on Mike and Mike on ESPN radio yesterday, praising Koetter for helping him become the quarterback he is and taking him where he needs to be. Needless to say, the combination of Winston and Koetter bodes well for the Buccaneers moving forward.

Hopefully, Winston can carry this momentum into this Sunday as the Buccaneers travel to Phoenix to take on the Arizona Cardinals, who are coming off a heartbreaking 23-21 loss to the New England Patriots. Winston will need another performance just like week one’s to give the Buccaneers a chance at upsetting the Cardinals, who are an early favorite to emerge out of the NFC and go to the Super Bowl.

Facing Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu in the secondary will be no easy task, so Winston will have to drop more of those picture perfect dimes and bring the Bucs back to Tampa for their home opener a perfect 2-0