Brian Baldinger Discusses Antoine Winfield’s Major Play
September 9th, 2025
Antoine Winfield prepares to pop Atlanta RB Tyler Allgeier. That wasn’t Winfield’s only big hit Sunday.
For Joe, the play of the game Sunday in the Bucs’ win was Koo-Koo-For-Cocoa-Puffs missing a field goal at the end of regulation to give the Bucs an early, critical division win over the Dixie Chicks.
The second-biggest? Baker Mayfield threw a perfect dime to Emeka Egbuka for a 25-yard touchdown throw that eventually gave the Bucs the win.
However, all of that would have been for naught had Antoine Winfield not saved the day. The All-Pro safety appeared to be back to his All-Pro ways, making All-Pro plays.
Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix had Casey Washington open down the left sideline after, it appeared, Jamel Dean fell down. Washington was all alone at the eight-yard line. If he catches the ball, he probably walks into the end zone for what very likely would have been the winning score.
But Winfield had other ideas. He raced in and just as Washington was tucking the ball in, Winfield blasted Washington in the chest, jarring the ball loose.
Dynamite play that was recognized by NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger as he did film work this week.
Penix’s pass “was perfect,” Baldinger said. “Until Winfield met him right at the ball to blow it all up.
“If he doesn’t blow this play up, who knows what happens to this game? Penix gave [Atlanta] hope. He gave them a chance. He put the ball right in the mitts of Washington and Winfield blew it all up.”
Joe doesn’t think Winfield’s play is talked about enough. Are the Bucs even able to get in field goal range in less than 16 seconds? Perhaps, but the odds would have been against them.
And with the bad game Chase McLaughlin had kicking, him nailing a 50+ yarder was anything but certain.
As much as Joe is jumping up and down about Mayfield’s two touchdown throws to Egbuka, it’s hard for Joe to overlook that game-saving play by Winfield.
.@Buccaneers @AtlantaFalcons @AntoineWJr11 with impeccable timing to blow this play up….If he doesn't ; who knows what happens #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/WiPGrREkiE
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 8, 2025
September 9th, 2025 at 2:16 pm
separated the man from the ball as they say.
September 9th, 2025 at 2:17 pm
Field goal wouldn’t have even mattered if they got this TD and went up 27-23. We’d have needed a TD in 16 seconds.
September 9th, 2025 at 2:22 pm
Hell yeah Winfield’s the man when healthy.
September 9th, 2025 at 2:25 pm
Yea, what jimmy said
September 9th, 2025 at 2:29 pm
GREAT PLAY!!!!
t.smith had a great play on the ball too
GO BUCS!!!!!
September 9th, 2025 at 2:30 pm
I was at the game and surprised there was not a flag on the play based on the way the game had been called to that point. While legal, it was a violent, old-school Ronnie Lott style hit and one the No Fun League doesn’t like to see these days..
September 9th, 2025 at 2:35 pm
What if he just let him catch it and tackles him. Game over as time runs out. How about the next play.. wr is open in endzone for game winner and does not see it… goodness
September 9th, 2025 at 2:35 pm
Dean is always falling. He’s one clumsy cb. Not only should he had taken a pay cut he should be cut. Let’s start Morrison over Dean once he’s healthy.
September 9th, 2025 at 2:36 pm
Saw a closer replay, Win hit his helmet on his elbow, which popped the ball loose. Didn’t actually run through him, caught his arms which caused him to spin out. IIRC.
September 9th, 2025 at 2:41 pm
Wasn’t Dean hurt on that play? I mean it was a hard tackle he delivered to himself.
September 9th, 2025 at 2:42 pm
Why does it look like dean just laid down after he got beat?
September 9th, 2025 at 2:44 pm
It’s a thrill seeing that play again. Winfield came out of nowhere and turned the tide of the game.
September 9th, 2025 at 2:44 pm
Dean smh.
September 9th, 2025 at 2:56 pm
Yeah it was!
September 9th, 2025 at 2:59 pm
I just want to know what was Dean’s assignment on that play. He looks like he slips as he is trying to come back and cover Robinson. Was he guessing or was that his responsibility? Either way, he slipped during a crucial moment and that could have been disastrous. Time for Morrison to get healthy…..and quick!
September 9th, 2025 at 3:08 pm
So right, Joe. I thought he deserved MVP for that.
September 9th, 2025 at 3:10 pm
Morris brought in a NEW D coordinator and CHANGED their system. Their defense will be dominant next year and beyond. Bucs need to strongly consider doing the same with Bowles. Let someone else call the defense plays and let Todd focus on understanding the game clock and how time outs work.
September 9th, 2025 at 3:28 pm
^^ Where the hell is his Grandpa at? ^^
September 9th, 2025 at 3:28 pm
Buc1987 Says:
Dean smh.
^^^^^^^
Gonna be riding pine soon after Morrison gets healthy.
September 9th, 2025 at 3:34 pm
Lott would’ve taken his head off. That was legal then. Winfield played that legal today. He went through the arms chest, staying away from the head. Well done.
September 9th, 2025 at 3:34 pm
Looking at the play, I do not think Dean was responsible for the WR. It looks like they were in zone and he passed him off after he left his area of responsibility, Deans man looks to be the RB and with him falling down that could have resulted in another damaging play.
September 9th, 2025 at 3:35 pm
Dean falling down…. That’s why he got a big pay cut, that’s why he is gone after the season. At least he wasn’t injured from that play.
September 9th, 2025 at 3:38 pm
Seems like Penix should’ve thrown him open. Instead of firing it, throwing a touch pass in the end zone over the safety. I’m sure that’s what Brady would’ve done.
September 9th, 2025 at 3:48 pm
Jamel Dean is not a shut down corner and I am tired of fans and the local media pretending that he is.
September 9th, 2025 at 3:49 pm
Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix had Casey Washington open down the left sideline after, it appeared, Jamel Dean fell down. Washington was all alone at the eight-yard line.
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Pretty sure Dean was in zone, so him falling down didn’t really have anything to do with the play. Winfield is tasked at covering there, and he excelled at it.
September 9th, 2025 at 3:51 pm
Joseph C Simmons Says:
September 9th, 2025 at 3:38 pm
Seems like Penix should’ve thrown him open. Instead of firing it, throwing a touch pass in the end zone over the safety. I’m sure that’s what Brady would’ve done.
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First off, Brady is Brady, Penix is a guy in his 4th start.
Second, Winfield came up to make the play – if the ball was thrown deeper, Winfield would have went back to make the play. Winfield is literally the best safety in the game, and if you think if the QB just had a little more touch they win the game, as if Winfield wouldn’t still make the play, you’re wrong.
September 9th, 2025 at 4:01 pm
James Willie.. fun game to be at?
September 9th, 2025 at 4:38 pm
Is there a kicker problem now?
Winfield can’t be expected to bail out the offense every week
September 9th, 2025 at 4:45 pm
Nice to have safeties making a difference. I hope the trend continues cause that’s going to help the CBs and ILBs tremendously.
I thought the defense as a whole played a helluva game… I expect the same but better against the Texans.
Lfg Bucs 💪🏼
September 9th, 2025 at 4:48 pm
Agree with others that Dean had just passed that guy off. He slipped as he was about to cut forward on the flat and then tried to make an adjustment with the ball in the air. Winfield might have been a bit late (kind right between passing off) but made a great play
September 9th, 2025 at 5:33 pm
I think Dean was trying to reverse direction to cover the guy in the flat
September 9th, 2025 at 6:09 pm
That was a great and legal play. It’s why people like me watch NFL football. No one got hurt. AWJ is back to 100% healthy, and he almost had a pick. Reminded me of the great Dungy defense for a few minutes.
September 9th, 2025 at 6:09 pm
Winfield Jr. is a Hall of Fame Safety period !! That play was an amazing, game saving play !!
Go Bucs !! Beat the Texans !!
September 9th, 2025 at 7:40 pm
On this play, Dean falls on his ass with nobody around him. This had to be the trigger to cut or renegotiate.
Winfield does what Winfield has always done when healthy, make game changing plays.
Dean? Rubbish