Why Jameis Winston's Low Quarterback Ranking Misses the Mark

Many thought the New York Giants’ season was over when Jaxson Dart sustained a torn MCL and meniscus against the Los Angeles Rams.

But Jameis Winston continues to thrive, even despite his on-brand turnover woes and lack of belief from the NFL punditry.

Winston ranked 27th in the NFL, and dead last among NFC East QBs, on the 2027 ranking of NFL quarterbacks from Sports Illustrated writer Matt Verderame.

Winston is 2-0-1 since taking over for Dart, with wins over the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals and a historic performance in the Giants’ 27-27 tie against the Washington Commanders. The Giants (3-1-1) lead the NFC East by 1.5 games over the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles.

SI Writer: Giants ‘Can Win’ if Jameis Winston Protects the Ball

Winston has played well the past two weeks, posting 576 yards and six touchdowns. He caught fire during the second half and overtime against Washington, helping the Giants rally from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit.

But Verderame still had him ranked ahead of only Cam Ward, Malik Willis, Tyson Bagent, Jalon Daniels and Deshaun Watson.

“Winston is one of the league’s more entertaining watches. He’s occasionally good and occasionally bad, but always a show,” Verderame wrote. “Over five weeks, Winston is 21st in EPA per play (0.043) and has New York 3-1-1, atop the NFC East.

“The concern with Winston is always the bad plays. … [But] if Winston can limit his mistakes, the Giants can win.”

Jameis Winston Is Only Getting Started

Winston’s numbers are skewed due to his two inefficient outings against the Rams and Titans. Winston was 11 for 27 for 111 yards and one interception in relief of Dart against the Rams, then went 14 for 22 for 118 yards amid a nor’easter in his first start vs. Tennessee.

But Winston has heated as he has gotten additional starter’s reps in practice. He has a plus-18.3 EPA over the Giants’ past two games and posted the NFL’s second-best mark in the league (13.3) in Week 5.

Winston’s mark was behind only Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford’s 13.8 expected points added in the Rams’ overtime loss Monday to the Bills. That’s elite company to be in, even if Winston’s breakout performance came against Washington’s 29th-ranked pass defense.

Of course, Winston is only one bad week from being on the QB bubble, especially since coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy are looking for spots to insert J.J. McCarthy.

But to rank Winston among the league’s worst QBs is to miss what he has already done for the Giants offense in Dart’s absence.