You’ve seen it a million times by now — although it probably hasn’t gotten old yet, has it? Ryan Fitzpatrick, a hand clasped across his face, looking to the rafters, unfurling a perfect throw down the left sideline before falling into a tangled mess of bodies at the bottom of the pocket. And then, moments later, WR Mack Hollins cradling the ball as it falls out of the air and falling down and out of bounds to position Miami to do the unthinkable.
The play — can we call it the ‘FitzMiracle’? — helped the Dolphins’ season extend into Week 17 as the team pursues a playoff berth for the first time since 2016. And while the Dolphins must leave the play in the past and shift their focus entirely into taking care of business against the Buffalo Bills in Week 17, Dolphins fans would be excused to continue to revel in the magic all week long.
But how did such a play come to be? NFL Films’ NFL Turning Point spotlighted Fitzpatrick’s heave to find out. And for anyone who isn’t a Las Vegas Raiders fan, it is well worth the watch:
He’s the gift that keeps on giving.
How FitzMagic pulled off the ultimate Christmas miracle ✨ @MiamiDolphins pic.twitter.com/gVeA7A5pgc
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) December 31, 2020
Fitzpatrick’s experience undoubtedly played a large role in Miami’s decision to turn to him in crunch time. And while there is no amount of experience that could have helped that throw be any more perfect, Fitzpatrick knowing what to expect certainly helped him be effective into crunch time. Tua Tagovailoa will get his time in the sun; and with more experience he can hopefully make some magic plays like these for himself. And with Fitzpatrick now on the reserve/COVID-19 list, it will be up to Tagovailoa and only Tagovailoa to create any needed late game magic in Week 17 for the Dolphins.