TAMPA, Fla. -- Just prior to facing the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston went over to backup safety Keith Tandy and told him, "Today is your day."

"I [told] him, ‘Go out there and get your blessing,'" said the second-year quarterback. "'Today is your day because you’ve worked hard for this opportunity.'"

"It's because I'm a starter, and I'm not normally a starter," said Tandy, who picked off Drew Brees on fourth-and-1 at the Saints' 47-yard line with 57 seconds to go, securing the Bucs' 16-11 win to keep them in first place in the NFC South and to maintain their playoff hopes alive.

Winston said the exact same thing last week too, before the Bucs defeated the San Diego Chargers. Tandy, who continues to fill in for starter Chris Conte, had a touchdown-saving interception at the 2-yard line to preserve the win.

"He said, 'While you're in there, take advantage of it. Today is your day.' And it happened again,'" said Tandy, who immediately recognized the route from his film study.

Throughout his five-year career, Tandy has spent extra time on film and extra time learning other roles so he can stay employed -- he has learned both safety positions as well as the nickelback role, and he's a significant contributor on special teams. That's how guys like him -- smart, but maybe not as gifted as other players -- remain in the league.

Winston recognized that and sought to empower his teammate on a day when the Bucs needed the defense to be almost perfect -- playing against the top scoring offense in the league and against a future Hall of Fame quarterback. He also recognized the value that a consistent worker like Tandy brings to the team, even if his efforts normally go unnoticed.

"When you’ve got people that are humble like Keith Tandy, when you’ve got people that continue to work hard like Keith Tandy, no matter the circumstance -- this guy was our third safety, he plays his tail off on special teams, [he's] one of the hardest workers we’ve got on this football team -- I'm just telling you, it's his blessing,'" Winston said.

It moved Tandy, who had a team-leading nine combined tackles, three pass breakups and a tackle for a loss to go along with the pick.

"His leadership is pretty unbelievable, especially for a guy who is [so young]," Tandy said. "I know you guys keep hearing it. I don't think you'll ever understand it. Like when he's talking to you, I feel like it's my uncle shouting out. Like when he's talking to me, I'm like, 'Dang.'"

"Then I realize how young he is, when he starts screaming and acting like a little kid," Tandy said with a chuckle. "But when he talks to you and he looks you in the eye, you feel it like in your soul, and you're like, 'I've gotta make a play for him."

So while Winston didn't account for an offensive touchdown, his impact was certainly felt, and for the second straight week, a lesser-known player got a chance to shine.