After Tennessee won big at Tampa Bay in Week 1, the natural conclusion was to assume that the Bucs had erred in selecting Jameis Winston. He was looking so-so at best, while Marcus Mariota was looking like he might be on the fast track to NFL stardom. But a month later, it’s a lot harder to separate these two.
Setting aside that first game, there’s been very little difference between these two. Both have completed 62 percent of their passes, and both have 5 TDs and 5 interceptions. (That in just the last four games for each guy – both have had their bye.)
If there’s a slight statistical edge, it’s gone to Winston. He’s gone 2-2 as a starter, while Mariota has lost his last four. He’s fumbled 4 fewer times, and he’s taken 10 fewer sacks. In these last four, Winston averages 13 more yards per game as a passer.
For the year, both of these quarterbacks have had 2 interceptions returned for touchdowns. Who would have thought that at this point, Peyton Manning would have thrown more Pick Six balls than either of these rookies?
| STAT COMPARISON (Weeks 2-6) | ||
|---|---|---|
| . | Mariota | Winston |
| Win-Loss | 0-4 | 2-2 |
| Pass Yards | 913 | 964 |
| Percentage | 62% | 62% |
| TD Passes | 5 | 5 |
| Interceptions | 5 | 5 |
| Sacked | 17 | 7 |
| Fumbles-lost | 5-4 | 1-1 |
| Run Yards | 66 | 44 |
| TD Runs | 0 | 1 |
—Ian Allan