It takes a lot for a team on a six-game losing streak to give its fans something to genuinely enjoy, yet Jameis Winston found a way in Detroit. The New York Giants have been dragging through another brutal season, but every once in a while, this sport hands you a moment that cuts through the misery.
Winston delivered that moment and then some with one of the most electric trick-play touchdowns anyone has ever seen.
The G-Men needed every ounce of creativity they could squeeze out of the playbook to keep up with the Lions, and Winston played the part perfectly. The offense was buzzing all afternoon, but the trick plays took over and took the whole thing to another level.
Nothing was better than Famous Jameis' first career reception, a 33-yard touchdown catch from Gunner Olszewski. Olszewski escaped pressure, threw an absolute dart to his quarterback, and Winston muscled his way through contact to finish the job. The play was incredible, but his response when asked about his first career catch might've been even better:
“I like to consider myself an athlete. I believe that I can make plays like that for this team. If I need to play tight end, I can. I do whatever it is that’s required for this team to have success. ... Sometimes that's all you got to do at the quarterback position, get your guy a chance."
Jameis Winston delivers all-time postgame quote after wild trick-play TD
It doesn't get much better than a Famous Jameis postgame quote. But this one might top them all. There's nothing he can't do. That's our quarterback... or tight end... or whatever he needs to be.
While the trick play was incredible, his outing was so much more than that. Winston finished with his best performance of his very brief two-game Giants career. He threw for 366 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.
The problem — as usual — was on the other side of the ball. The defense couldn't stop a thing all game, but the biggest mishaps happened at the worst possible times. A 27-17 lead vanished right after the trick-play touchdown. They couldn't make a tackle to save their lives, and the same defensive issues that have plagued them all season were on full display once again.
Related: Malik Nabers just threw Mike Kafka under the bus with brutal now-deleted post
Interim head coach Mike Kafka pushed all the right buttons in this one, but ultimately fell short, officially eliminating them from playoff contention. He's shown enough to suggest he has what it takes to be a real option as the permanent guy once the season is over, but he'll have to win and close games out.
Not being able to do exactly that is what got former HC Brian Daboll fired after Week 10.
If Kafka wants to keep those hopes alive, putting his players in the best positions to make plays will help. And having players like Jameis Winston will help. The former No. 1 overall pick's postgame quote just proved signing him in the offseason was the perfect call.