Ryan Fitzpatrick continues to make the most of a “nothing to lose” situation in Miami. Fitzpatrick logged a career high in passing yards in Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals, torching the NFL’s worst team to the tune of 419 passing yards. Fitzpatrick’s big day put him over 3,000 passing yards for the year and has Miami scoring points at a blistering pace (relative to the first month of the season, of course).
And folks have taken notice. Each week, NFL.com releases a weekly quarterback power ranking of all 32 starters in the NFL and Fitzpatrick has not only climbed out of the cellar, he’s on the cusp of being ranked in the top half of the league — Fitzpatrick has made it all the way to the 17th ranked quarterback in the NFL, one spot behind Buffalo’s Josh Allen.
Here’s what NFL.com’s Genarro Felice had to say about Fitzpatrick’s play:
“Quite apropos for this particular signal-caller to reach his highest QB Index ranking of the season in a week that’s headlined by a bearded geezer who spreads joy. In 2019, Fitzpatrick has indeed become Football Santa: a lovable figure whose production completely defies logic. But don’t you dare say Fitzmagic isn’t real! The guy’s operating behind the worst offensive line in football. He is flanked by a ground game that ranks dead last in rushing yards, throwing to a receiving corps that leads the AFC in drops. Fitzpatrick’s a 37-year-old journeyman on one of the youngest, cheapest rosters in the league, a team many thought could make a run at 0-16. And yet, he’s led the Dolphins to four wins in their past eight games. He ranks top 10 in ESPN’s QBR metric. And he can torch an opponent for 419 yards and four touchdowns, as he did in this past Sunday’s victory over the Bengals. I believe in Santa Fitz!” – Genarro Felice, NFL.com
There’s no question that Fitzpatrick is playing his best ball of the season here at the end of the line. For our money, he’s playing the best ball of his career here in Miami — a development that should have Miami willing to bringing back “Fitzmagic” again in 2020 to serve whatever role the Dolphins’ plans at quarterback allow for him to play.
As Fitzpatrick has established more and more rapport with Miami’s pass catchers, this seems like a no brainer decision that will only be further amplified if Fitzpatrick can find ways to move the ball against New England in Week 17.
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