Welcome Back, Antoine Winfield
September 7th, 2025
Safety Antoine Winfield buckles up preparing for battle Sunday.
The last two minutes of today’s win in Atlanta was so stunning and thrilling, it’s easy to forget perhaps the play of the game happened with 11 seconds left and it was performed by All-Pro Bucs safety Antoine Winfield.
Figures. When the Bucs need a big play on defense, somewhere it seems, Winfield is involved.
And he very likely saved the game.
With 11 seconds left, Dixie Chicks quarterback Michael Penix tried to hit KhaDarel Hodge for the game-winning score. Penix threw a beautiful pass down the left sideline that Hodge, for a split second, appeared to catch.
But no! In the nick of time, Winfield roared in from the center of the field and blasted Hodge with a vicious hit in the chest.
Winfield’s hit was so physical, it jarred the ball out of Hodge’s hands, incomplete.
Down 23-20, Hodge, who for a split-second caught the ball on the Bucs-8, could have walked into the end zone. Hard to see the Bucs being able to get into field goal range in less than 11 seconds.
But that’s what Winfield does. He makes critical plays at the most important times. Winfield was a shell of himself after Week 1 last year when he hurt his foot near the end of a win over Washington.
With the exception of one play, Winfield wasn’t near the same as an All-Pro in 2023. The exception was a play in Tampa when he was robbed after jarring a touchdown away from Atlanta, only to have that play called a touchdown because the NFL/FOX were too cheap to put a sideline camera on the end zone. It was a clear fumble.
Damn, it’s good to see big-playmaking Winfield back. He literally saved the Bucs’ bacon today.
This punch out by Antoine Winfield Jr. was the difference in the game. pic.twitter.com/f1UnxLFmQV
— All-22 (@All22_PFF) September 7, 2025
September 7th, 2025 at 6:26 pm
Game saver!
September 7th, 2025 at 6:32 pm
Indeed, good to see him back. Tykee looked a little unsettled at safety but played well enough to win.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:34 pm
You have to ask…..who was in coverage?…..the closest I saw was LVD…..how can that be with that game situation
September 7th, 2025 at 6:34 pm
That’s why he got payed. Welcome Back!!!!! Jessie Bates who?
September 7th, 2025 at 6:38 pm
Bucs are in first place by themselves.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:39 pm
On the replay you can see Dean fell down.
Awesome play Winfield !
September 7th, 2025 at 6:40 pm
This guy takes “game changing plays” to a new level. Hard to think of another defender who has flipped the outcome of multiple games on a single critical play.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:44 pm
Dean passed him off and then promptly fell down.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:45 pm
How come no post game pressers?
September 7th, 2025 at 6:46 pm
Definitely a game saver – Let’s go Antoine 💪🏼🏈
September 7th, 2025 at 6:49 pm
Highly likely Winfield is a born play maker, no disrespect to his work ethic, but we missed having him a full health
September 7th, 2025 at 6:49 pm
There was one. There always is. Mandatory by the league.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:49 pm
Winfield played well when he wasn’t injured last year, no idea where this idea comes from that he was playing poorly. Anywho, he’s money, like he’s always been on his way to what should be a HOF career.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:50 pm
Couldn’t find a presser on Bucs site or in the app?
September 7th, 2025 at 6:52 pm
Fire Bowles!!!
September 7th, 2025 at 6:52 pm
I assume you were at the PC Joe, did Bowles address the OL directly?
September 7th, 2025 at 7:03 pm
Dean was passing him off? To who. LVD? I would assume that our lock down corner was responsible to cover his wide receiver- not LB. Could be wrong in this scenario but who the heck else would he be covering? I think “ falling down” is a habit he has when he realizes his man has beat him! At least he didn’t stay on the ground hurt. Outstanding play by Winfield, being able to get a hand up between the receivers arms while running full tilt from center field. The man is amazing! He gave us the W! How did Dean fall down anyway.? I didn’t see anyone near him, see his feet get tangled, etc. just sayin.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:05 pm
Some of you goons wanted .o trade him this offseason.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:05 pm
definitely was going to be a TD and Winfield came with the wood. lol. Saved the game.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:08 pm
It’s on YouTube.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:10 pm
Yah I saw Dean chasing receivers from behind too many times. Hope a new guy bumps him soon.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:33 pm
Overall a shaky start of the season. On the upside ANY WIN on the road is a great win!! Make some mistakes but make up for it by making some plays. So far so good!
September 7th, 2025 at 7:41 pm
Got to love when people think they know what the coverage is supposed to be. Clearly, Dean was passing him off because there was an RB in the flat wide open.
We don’t know if Winfield was supposed to cover over the top there, but it seemed like a zone so he would be.
Regardless, great play.
I’m more concerned about the pasts rush. The pressure was decent, but they had 4–5 sacks slip through their fingertips today.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:50 pm
Anyhony Says:
September 7th, 2025 at 7:05 pm
Some of you goons wanted to trade him this offense season…
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Wait what? This is the first I’ve ever heard such a dumb idea. People who watch football thought Winfield after getting paid FAT and accidentally got hurt should be traded for what? A 4th round pick. This man could be a H.O.F. player that’s soft brain debate better left for the monkeys eating their own poo.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:58 pm
Fire Bowles!!! Pass defense relying on individual talent more than scheme
September 7th, 2025 at 8:18 pm
Speaking of cheap Fox/replay that cost us last year
How about the 3 crucial plays today that they didn’t have a camera on or flat out didn’t show a replay
Most notably, the London drop in the EndZone that the back corner judge ran in emphatically calling incomplete and not one single replay from behind the receiver, from the angle of the ref who’s making the call was shown.
No cameras there either? Or was something more sinister at work?
The fix was in. Bucs overcame it
September 7th, 2025 at 8:41 pm
Winfield Jr. saved the game. Right time, right place, great play… not by accident. Winfield Jr.’s football instincts are an intangible.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:59 pm
There were 16 seconds left in the game. ATL didn’t have any timeouts remaining. The running back in the flat was not the priority to defend. They were already in field goal range. Defending the end zone was the priority. Maybe Dean didn’t know the coverage called or maybe someone called the wrong coverage but Winfield definitely did & made a game saving play. Glad he’s healthy & playing like the All Pro he is.
September 7th, 2025 at 9:04 pm
Another one! HOW DO THEY REVIEW A PLAY AFTER THEY LET THE NEXT PLAY RUN
September 7th, 2025 at 9:07 pm
Antoine looked like his old self on that play.
Hoping he stayed healthy throughout the season… he’s a playmaker, for sure.
September 7th, 2025 at 10:11 pm
Antoine is a baller. Glad to see him back healthy. Last year must of been hard on him, trying to play his best when hurt… and hearing jerks say he was loafing with the signed $$$. The guys all heart and football passion.
September 7th, 2025 at 10:12 pm
AWJ was fairly quiet until that play. But what a play! $$
Truth. I’m not a Dean apologist, but the problem was not Dean, it was scheme. Dean even actually engaged Hodge on that play. More importantly, why is Bijan not being trailed out of the backfield by a defender (LB)? He already took a short pass 50 yds in the opening series for a td
September 7th, 2025 at 10:26 pm
Welcome back AWJ31!
September 7th, 2025 at 10:57 pm
Field goal range is irrelevant when down by four points.
September 8th, 2025 at 12:38 am
For those ripping Dean, this was obviously zone coverage. The dude covered his zone and passed him off to keep Pennix from running like he did twice in man coverage. It was Winfields zone and he delivered. Quit hating. Dean had a good game.
September 8th, 2025 at 3:22 am
The issue was the scheme, and this was the same garbage scheme as last year – I didn’t notice any changes, it was still mostly a loose garbage zone. However, in fairness, it got the job done today, even with the refs repeatedly bailing the Falcons out and giving them chance after chance after chance to win the game.
September 8th, 2025 at 4:23 am
Loving Antoine! Game-changer, perfectly done.
September 8th, 2025 at 4:44 am
I don’t think it was the refs that gave falcons the chances. It was the 3 for 3
success on the challenges that were backed up by replay. Also not sure why we
called a timeout that gave them a chance to throw one of them.In the end they followed the rules and did not overturn a call on the field for lack of indisputable proof of a reception.
September 8th, 2025 at 8:13 am
David, I agree with you on everything but one thing. I don’t blame our rush for the missed sacks, although they will definitely have to make adjustments next time we play ATL. Penix (i still can’t type that name with a straight face) is very elusive, as much as Mayfield is, i think. I thought, tbh, that Penix would be garbage… but I’m coming to realize, he’s looking like a good QB. We are definitely the top team in the South, but the falcons won’t be pushovers, their D is very underrated and i think they have a QB. I think time will show today was a quality win for us, because unfortunately ATL is going to be better than people realize. In any event, we’re 1st place, and I expect us to be in first, stay in first, and finish in first, but its not going to be as easy as many may have thought, because Atlanta is good, and even the saints might have a decent QB. The Panthers still suck though… some things haven’t changed
September 8th, 2025 at 8:20 am
TruckerBuc, everything you say is true, but Dean isn’t supposed to fall down. If he doesn’t fall down his position keeps that window closed a split second longer so that Winfield can get on the WR1 deep without having to make such a last second game-saving play. Thankfully Winfield is back healthy and back to 110%. I’m not trying to throw Dean under the bus as few, if any, are perfect, but thankfully Winfield is.
September 8th, 2025 at 10:09 am
Imagine if he catches this and is tackled immediately by AwJr, clock is at 11 and ticking, do they even have enough time to get up and spike it? Glad it got knocked loose anyway but woulda been interesting. Just a passing thought.
September 8th, 2025 at 11:36 am
bob in valrico, it’s not the number of penalties called that po’s off fans like me. It’s WHEN they are called/or not called, and the TYPE of penalty called. Believe me, Hotlanta was being helped out. I listen to these games on Bucs Radio, and I know that pattern. Winfield’s block was perfect, and the reason why I like NFL football. Plus, the Falcons are not bird crap this year. Raheem and feathered crew will be giving a lot of teams fits. Great win, Bucs!!