The Colts escaped Week 12 with a victory over the Buccaneers, but Indianapolis' defenders walked off the field on Sunday with a lasting impression of the Bucs' rookie quarterback, Jameis Winston.
Winston completed 20 of 36 passes for 245 yards, a touchdown and an interception on Sunday against Indianapolis. Winston's pick came late in the game with the Bucs down by double-digit scores, becoming just his third interception since Week 4.
"Jameis (Winston), he made us a believer," defensive end Robert Mathis said following the game. "He's a great quarterback, to be that young and to be able to approach the game as he does."
Winston has thrown for 175 yards or more in each of the Bucs' games this season, including Tampa Bay's matchup against the Colts. He has thrown for 200 yards or more in all but one game.
Linebacker Jerrell Freeman shared similar feelings as Mathis when asked about Winston.
"He's a pretty mature guy," Freeman said. "He's a guy that can extend plays as you saw out there. Even when we did get pressure on him he slipped through, check downs or the long ball. He's a pretty good quarterback. He's going to be good for a while."
Through 11 games, Winston has already set a Buccaneer rookie record for passing yards. He reached 2,650 against the Colts, surpassing Mike Glennon for the top spot on the team's list. Winston is on pace for 3,854 passing yards this year, which would be the second-best season by a Buccaneer quarterback in team history.
The team's single-season record is well within his reach, too. Winston could set the Bucs' single-season passing record with 4,066 yards.
