Jameis Winston’s rookie passer rating on record pace

There were a lot of fans who did not want Jameis Winston here because of his legal issues and more believed he would be a bust. But both of those thoughts are dwindling away, as week to week, this young man proves that he is the real deal. And he proved that with his performance against the Atlanta Falcons, at home on Sunday.

“Winston enters Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons having completed 203 of 350 passes (58 percent) for 2,650 yards, 16 touchdown, and 10 interceptions. That equates to an 85.3 passer rating, which is a modest mark by most standards — it ranks just 24th in the NFL — but not when compared with other quarterbacks who wore the shoes Winston has been asked to fill. Through 11 games, Winston is on pace to finish the season with the best passer rating ever for a rookie quarterback selected first overall in the draft since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970. That’s no small achievement. Troy Aikman (55.7), John Elway (54.9) and Peyton Manning (71.2) are on that list of quarterbacks. So are Michael Vick (62.7), Cam Newton (84.5) and Andrew Luck (76.5).” – Reported by Roy Cummings

More on this story: Winston’s passer rating on record pace for rookie and key to Bucs’ success