Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston was the first player selected in this year’s draft and his play over the first two months of the season didn’t do much to give them second thoughts about that decision.
His work in the team’s five November games further reinforced that they made a good choice. Winston threw for five touchdowns in a rout of the Eagles and led a late comeback that culminated with his game-winning touchdown run as Tampa went 3-2 during the month.
On Thursday, the NFL announced that his work was strong enough to be named the league’s top offensive rookie of the month. Winston was 96-of-169 for 1,179 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions through the air over the five games and also added two rushing touchdowns in addition to the score against the Cowboys as he continued to make the Bucs’ offense his own.
If Winston can lead the Bucs to another winning month in December, they’ll finish the year with at least a .500 record for the first time since 2010. That would be another feather in his cap and could pave the way for rookie of the year honors once the season comes to a close.