Facing a one-point deficit with nine seconds left, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston connected with wide receiver Chris Godwin for a 39-yard touchdown to upset the New Orleans Saints, 31-24.
Godwin's game-winning touchdown reception capped off an already strong performance for the rookie wide receiver, as he led the team with 111 receiving yards on his seven receptions.
Despite the loss, New Orleans will still enter the postseason as the NFC South champions given that the Carolina Panthers' dropped their season finale against the Atlanta Falcons. Quarterback Drew Brees & Co. will host the Panthers in the Wild-Card round.
With that, we give you our PFF-exclusive takeaways from the contest for each team.
Top 5 Grades:
WR Chris Godwin, 87.2 overall grade
OT Donovan Smith, 83.5 overall grade
WR Adam Humphries, 83.2 overall grade
DI Gerald McCoy, 80.7 overall grade
TE Cameron Brate, 78.3 overall grade
Performances of note:
WR Chris Godwin, 87.2 overall grade
Matched up against the formidable Ken Crawley for much of the day, Godwin had a breakout game, with the exclamation point being the game-winning touchdown bomb with nine seconds left in the game. For the game, he caught all seven catchable balls into his coverage for 111 yards and the score, with five of the catches and 87 yards coming from 10 matchups against Crawley.
QB Jameis Winston, 43.6 overall grade
Winston finished spectacularly, but he made way too many poor decisions and was extremely reckless with the ball. He threw three interceptions on the day, but two others were dropped by defenders. In all, Winston threw seven turnover-worthy throws on the day.
DI Gerald McCoy, 80.7 overall grade
McCoy was solid throughout the game, disrupting and having an impact defending the run and rushing the passer. McCoy finished the game with four tackles and two solo stops defending the run, to go along with three QB hurries.
CB Brent Grimes, 77.8 overall grade
Grimes was on lockdown for the most part, as the majority of the Saints' passing attack found success throwing at opposite corner Ryan Smith and linebackers underneath. Grimes was targeted four times, allowing one catch for just nine yards and also recording a pass defensed.
Top 5 Grades:
S Marcus Williams, 88.5 overall grade
WR Michael Thomas, 80.9 overall grade
LB Craig Robertson, 80.1 overall grade
T Andrus Peat, 79.9 overall grade
RB Alvin Kamara, 78.0 overall grade
Performances of note:
QB Drew Brees, 76.5 overall grade
Brees was efficient throughout the game with his accuracy at every level and decision-making. Brees stayed patient and took the underneath throws when the Buccaneers dropped deep in their zone coverages, completing 19-of-21 passes for 139 yards and one touchdown on throws traveling less than 10 yards. He was also able to flip the field with a couple big-time throws down the field, going 3-of-5 for 106 yards on passes thrown 20 plus yards down the field.
WR Michael Thomas, 80.9 overall grade
Thomas had a standard game for his accounts, hauling in a deep shot on a double move down the field and working well underneath. He finished with six catches on eight targets for 94 yards. Thomas saw 36 of his yards come after the catch.
CB Marshon Lattimore, 41.5 overall grade
Lattimore has had an outstanding rookie season, but today was easily his worst showing of the year. While he did notch a pass break-up, he gave up four receptions for 77 yards, 43 of them coming on a pass to Adam Humphries on which he busted the coverage.
S Marcus Williams, 88.5 overall grade
In what was a rare rough showing for the New Orleans secondary, Williams stood out as the lone star of the day. He notched two picks, one by cleaning up on a terrible decision Winston in back of the end zone and the other an impressive bait and close in the middle of the field. He also notched seven solo tackles and a defensive stop.
PFF Game Ball: Chris Godwin, WR
*Grades subject to change
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