New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston could have a breakout game this Sunday.
Jameis Winston is now the starting quarterback for the New York Giants, but he understands that the J.J. McCarthy trade has put him at risk.
Winston assumed the starting role when Jaxson Dart went down with a season-ending knee injury against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2, and the results haven't been pretty.
The former No. 1 overall pick has gone 25-for-49 with 229 yards and an interception thus far, and while Winston is known for airing it out with his big arm, he is averaging just 4.7 yards per pass attempt and 9.2 yards per completion.
Those are well below his career averages, and it does make you wonder if the 32-year-old is beginning to hit a wall.
But this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals will represent a tremendous opportunity for Winston to finally have a breakout game, and for multiple reasons.
First of all, the Cardinals have one of the worst defenses in the NFL. They rank 26th in yards allowed and 24th in points allowed. They have also surrendered a 121.9 passer rating thus far, which is good for 31st in the league.
If there were ever a time for Winston to throw all over an opposing defense, this is it.
Not only that, but while Winston signed a two-year extension with the Giants knowing full well he was signing on to be a backup, he surely doesn't want to lose his starting job now that he has it, if even for a temporary period.
The second New York swung a trade to acquire McCarthy, Winston knew his standing was in jeopardy. John Harbaugh has said that Winston will remain under center until further notice, but the writing is clearly on the wall.
If Winston stumbles against one of the league's most porous defenses this Sunday, he can probably kiss his run as Giants starting signal-caller goodbye. That's especially if McCarthy looks good in practice.
So couple Arizona having a bad defense with the fact that Winston will be extremely motivated, and we might have a recipe for a huge day from Winston, who is entirely capable of throwing for 300-plus yards and three touchdowns.
It's not like New York doesn't have the weapons, either. Malik Nabers is clearly healthy, Isaiah Likely is a terrific tight end and the Giants also have Cam Skattebo and Najee Harris (the latter of whom quietly played very well last week) out of the backfield.
Winston surely knows it's do-or-die time this weekend, so expect him to play significantly better. If he doesn't, the McCarthy era will commence.
