The Bucs nightmarish QB Circus took another hellish turn Sunday, as the magic seems to have finally dried up. In roughly two quarters of action, Ryan Fitzpatrick tossed an embarrassing three interception and promptly found the pine. Jameis Winston then completed 12-of-16 passes (75%) for 199 yards, 2 TDs, and (of course) 1 INT in a near-comeback rally for the Bucs; Winston has since been given the Week 12 starting nod. He’ll be a viable QB1 streamer in a dreamboat matchup versus the porous 49ers secondary.
Though this carousel has been laughable all season, both Bucs QBs have produced monstrous fantasy days more often than not. Thanks to a bottom-barrel defense combined with Todd Monken‘s “Air Raid” style offense, Tampa Bay averages 361 passing yards per game — nearly 50 more yards than the next closest Falcons. The weapon’s cabinet is stacked, the arm is real, and the offense could not be pass-happier.
Winston carries terrifying in-game-bench risk each week, but his immediate schedule is highly favorable, featuring three straight home dates against SF (8th most FPs), CAR (5th), and NO (1st). Thus, at only 10% owned, Winston is well worth a look for those with Patrick Mahomes or Jared Goff on Bye. And if you’re just QB-needy, Winston has some stretch-run QB Hero upside should he avoid The Pine.
Beyond himself, Winston’s insertion could greatly impact the pass-catchers here. Uncharacteristically, Winston peppered Mike Evans throughout Sunday’s second-half against the Giants, including a beautiful 41-yard TD bomb; Evans finished with a 6-120-TD line. Historically, Winston is much kinder to TEs and RBs. His 120.7 passer rating when targeting TEs is 3rd among 25 qualifiers since 2015, and Cameron Brate (21% owned) could be a sneaky-add with OJ Howard seeking a second opinion on his ankle. Meanwhile, Winston’s 81.2 passer rating to WRs is dead last. Still, this offense has little rhyme or reason but tons of volume. Hang on, laugh, cry, and enjoy the ride.
