Jameis Winston, now the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback after Deshaun Watson’s season-ending Achilles injury, is set for a homecoming of sorts as he returns to New Orleans to face his former team, the Saints.
Winston, who played four seasons in New Orleans, recorded 2,367 passing yards and 20 touchdowns with the Saints before joining Cleveland in the offseason on a one-year deal. Now tasked with revitalizing the Browns’ offense, Winston’s journey has led him back to the Superdome, where he’ll face both familiar fans and a familiar defense.
Winston has started the last two games for Cleveland, showing flashes of potential but also signs of inconsistency. His Week 8 debut as a starter was a promising one, with Winston completing 334 yards and three touchdowns in a thrilling win over the Baltimore Ravens. However, his second start against the Los Angeles Chargers was marked by struggles, as he threw three interceptions and managed only one touchdown, resulting in a 27-10 defeat for Cleveland. Despite completing 26 of 46 passes for 235 yards, Winston’s turnovers halted any chance of a comeback as Cleveland fell behind early in the fourth quarter.
Returning to the Superdome, Winston brings with him mixed reviews from his short tenure in Cleveland. Through seven games, he has completed 53 of 87 attempts for 569 yards and four touchdowns, while also throwing three interceptions. Though he’s been inconsistent, the Browns are banking on Winston’s playmaking abilities to spark a turnaround as they sit near the bottom of the AFC North standings.
This matchup will be an emotional return for Winston and a test of Cleveland’s ability to find stability in the offense. As the Browns face the Saints, who are also contending with struggles of their own, Winston’s performance will be closely watched. The Browns hope he can draw from his familiarity with New Orleans’ defensive schemes to give Cleveland a boost and help shift the trajectory of their season.
