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About the Author: Taylor Jenkins

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The Bucs dropped their final game of the season to the Atlanta Falcons by a final score of 28-22, the game ending on a pick-six on Tampa Bay’s first offensive play in overtime.

Not only did Winston’s final pass of the season win the game for the Bucs’ divisional foe, it solidified him as the first player in NFL history to throw for both 30 interceptions and 30 touchdowns in the same season.

Winston spoke to the media following the game. Read below for the full transcript.

(On the final play of the game)
“Going to Cam [Brate, ball got tipped, [it] went right into the defenders hands, [he] took it to the house.”

(On how it feels to lose the final game of the season)
“It’s not good. It doesn’t feel good but you’ve got to continue to persevere and continue to fight.”

(On the difficulty appreciating the positives of this season while losing)
“It just gives you ambition and desire to continue to get better. I know the area that I have to fix and I know the areas that I’m highly successful at but you’ve got to fix them and you’ve got to find a way to eliminate them.”

(On his confidence in returning to Tampa Bay next season)
“I don’t know. I know I’m confident in my abilities so I know I’m going to ball and I know I’m going to fix my mistakes. I know that for a fact but it’s in God’s hands and it’s in their hands.”

(On if he wants to return to Tampa Bay next season)
“Yeah, absolutely, but it’s not my decision.”

(On why his turnover problems aren’t fixed)
“You just go to the drawing board and find a way. I really don’t know. Some crazy stuff has been happening. I’ve got to get better, I’ve just got to fix it. I threw a lot of touchdowns here too and for a lot of yards. So, I just know what I’ve got to fix and I will.”

(On what he needs to fix before next season)
“We all know, come on. I guess, we know what we have to fix, there’s no reason to be specific. If you look at my numbers, I’m balling. I’ve got to stop giving the ball to the other team. That’s not a trick question.”

(On why he hasn’t been able to limit interceptions)
“I don’t know. It’s a variety of things. Just got to get better, I think that’s the biggest thing. I have to continue to get better. We all have to get better at our craft and that’s what I’m going to do.”

(On if he’s worried that interceptions will lead to him not returning)
“That’s the last thing on my mind. I’m focused on how I can get better, because I know if I eliminate those I’m going to be the best. So that’s bar none. You better check your stat sheet, I eliminate those I’m going to be the best.”

(On if he thought that Brate was open on the pick-six)
“He was open. This is football. This is a game of inches. The ball got tipped and it went straight to him. There’s been a lot of instances where I throw to Cam and it’s a bang-bang play. We’re going out there and we get a first-down completion. The ball doesn’t get tipped, it’s a completion. The ball gets tipped, it magically ends up in someone’s hand. That’s stuff that you can’t control.”

(On Breshad Perriman)
“He just took advantage of his opportunity, he’s done a great job. He was in the shadows when we had two premier guys and he found a way to get in his rhythm and he played great football.”

(On Ronald Jones)
“It’s impressive. He, just from the beginning of training camp, he’s made drastic improvements on his game and I credit him for that. [I’m] so proud of him and he’s going to continue to flourish.”

(On if the Bucs got away from the pass too much in the second half)
“I’ve got to complete the passes when they’re there, I will say that. When you run the ball effectively, you don’t throw the ball as much and that’s what we did. We just have to finish drives.”

(On how much he would look forward to another year in this offense)
“Definitely looking forward to that. That would be the most comfortable thing, but I know life isn’t always comfortable, so you have to endure the pain and endure the discomfort and find a way to persevere through that.”

(On Bruce Arians)
“He’s an amazing man. An amazing coach that instills confident in all his players and we fight for him and I think those are qualities of a great head coach and his resume speaks for himself.”

(On how tough it is to lose the last game on that last play)
“It’s tough to lose every game. That’s what I’m really concerned about is losing game. It’s a matter of winning and losing. That happens and we win the game, it’s a different vibe, but we lose so that’s just tough. We always want to win. I don’t want to be in this position at all. I want to continue to play, but definitely want to win your last game.”

(On the Bucs’ talent)
“I think this team is very talented. We’ve got some great players on teh defensive side of the ball. We have great players on the offensive side of the ball, we’ve just got to find a way. If that’s with me or without me, I think this team will be great.”

(On how much Demar Dotson has meant to him and the team)
“He’s done a phenomenal job for me. I can truly say he really loves me and I really love him. It’s a true brotherhood and that’s how you want the relationship to be with your offensive linemen. But before I got here I know that he was one of the premier guys here, a young guy adjusting from playing basketball, so I commend him and I’m very thankful for him and how he helped me in my career.”

(On if Dotson still has some gas left in the tank)
“Oh, absolutely. I see him working hard every single day, but like I said, the fate is not in our hands.”

(On continuing to work for success)
“I know God’s thoughts are higher than you all’s thoughts. God’s thoughts are higher than my thoughts and I have to continue to persevere. He has a plan for me that no one in here can tell me that it’s different. I know his plan for me will be great, whatever that is, and I know that I’m going to be great at whatever I do, whatever I put my mind to. I’m going to continue to work, continue to try and make small adjustments and be better at my game. But at the end of the day it didn’t work out today. But I’m always going to find a way. I’ve got tons of confidence in myself. It is what it is, but definitely don’t want to end the seson like this, but we’ll bounce back.”

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