However, LaFleur did recall Winston’s outing against the Lions last year in which Winston went 18-for-36 for 366 yards, a pair of touchdowns, and an interception in the 34-27 loss to Detroit — AKA, The Jameis Winston Experience.
“I’ve played Jameis quite often and like you just said, he can sling it and he can go for 500 any minute,” LaFleur said. “At any given time that guy can put up a lot of points and yards.”
Winston is a high-risk, high-reward quarterback. Since entering the league as the first overall pick back in 2015, Winston ranks third with 114 interceptions, only one behind full-time starters Matthew Stafford and Kirk Cousins. In 2019, he famously became the first and only quarterback to have 30 or more touchdowns and 30 interceptions in the same season.
“When Jameis gets throwing, he’s going to throw it up,” cornerback Garrett Williams said. “He’s going to give opportunities for his receivers to make plays. For us, we’re looking at it like he’s going to give us opportunities to make plays.”
Since Winston took over for Jaxson Dart in Week 2, the Giants have yet to score an offensive touchdown. With pressure mounting in New York to put points on the board, there could be some urgency from Winston to test the Cardinals.
That’s where Gibbens cautions the defense to stick within their scheme and game plan.
“We talk a lot about hitting your pitch and not chasing stuff,” Gibbens said. “But when there’s opportunities to be aggressive and the calls within the structure of the defense allows you to do that, you got to make the most of those opportunities and make a play.”