SmashMouth

One grew up in Alabama and played college football in the state of Florida.

The other grew up in Florida and played college football in the state of Alabama.

Both led their college teams to national championships.

One's a seven-year veteran who won the Heisman Trophy.

The other is a rookie who helped his wide receiver win the Heisman, the first player at that position in 29 years to win college football's highest honor.

They are Jameis Winston and Mac Jones, quarterbacks leading the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots in a game that probably wouldn't be played in Sunday's noon time slot if Drew Brees and Tom Brady were still around leading these franchises. It would be prime time if those two ageless wonders were going head-to-head again.



Two weeks into the 2021 season, it’s still hard to tell exactly who the New Orleans Saints are.

But as you know, Brees is now retired and Brady is in his second season in Tampa Bay, leaving behind Winston and Jones to show their fan bases they can handle the gigantic tasks of keeping their teams relevant despite losing their surefire, first-ballot Hall of Famers.

Sunday's winner will move his team to 2-1, which will certainly help in accomplishing that feat.

Winston could use a win more. The former Florida State star is looking to get back to Week 1 form when he threw five touchdowns and no interceptions in a romp over Green Bay, as opposed to last week when he threw a pair of interceptions and no touchdowns in a debacle against Carolina.

Meanwhile, Jones has thrown one touchdown and no interceptions in his two starts while completing 73.9% of his passes. Saints defensive end Cam Jordan isn't surprised Jones has yet to throw an interception.

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"He's a part of the Bill Belichick system," Jordan said. "It's a methodical offense that has playmakers, but at the same time they don't live and die by a deep ball."

It's what the Patriots were hoping to get out of Jones when they selected him with the No. 15 overall pick after he finished third in the Heisman race. His Alabama teammate and Amite native DeVonta Smith won it.

Sean Payton paid close attention to Jones in the draft process.

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