Tyrann Mathieu is ready to play against his former teammate Jameis Winston on Sunday. Mathieu has “I expect a shot on the first play of the game, Jameis, so throw it up.”
Mathieu intercepted Kirk Cousins in the fourth quarter, helping the New Orleans Saints break their losing streak. The safety would like to start his own series, but he knows Winston: “He probably tells me he's going to throw it at me before he actually does it.”
Familiarity plays a big role in this matchup. “He knows us, we know him,” said Mathieu. Winston wasn't in New Orleans long, but Mathieu still believes this will be “a homecoming of sorts” because of the city's attitude toward the former Saints quarterback. Mathieu said the team loves Winston just as much.
Mathieu moved to the New Orleans Saints a year after Winston. Mathieu's arrival coincided with Winston becoming the starter. During this time, both were leaders on each other's sides and got to know each other well.