Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has developed quite the reputation as a roller coaster ride at quarterback. And, through Miami’s first two games of the season, Fitzpatrick has lived up to the expectation after he passed for 328 yards and two touchdowns and a 100.3 rating last Sunday in Miami’s 31-28 loss to the Buffalo Bills. That performance comes on the heels of an abysmal showing against the New England Patriots in Week 1.
You never really know what you’re going to get with “Fitzmagic”. Except, presumably, on Thursday Night Football. For all of the ups and downs of Fitzpatrick’s play over the past few seasons between New York, Tampa Bay and Miami, Thursday Night Football seems to be a persistent theme among some of the ‘highs’ to Fitzpatrick’s play.
How good has it been?
Fitzpatrick has recorded a passer rating of 105 or higher in three of his last four contests on Thursday Night Football — a far cry from Miami’s recent experiences in the early slate. The Dolphins have struggled greatly over the past several years.
- 2018 loss to Houston: 42-23
- 2017 loss to Baltimore: 40-0
- 2016 loss to Cincinnati: 22-7
- 2015 loss to New England: 36-7
Something has to give. Will it be Fitzpatrick’s strong play on Thursday Nights? Or can he help pull the Dolphins over the hump and secure a win on Thursday Night Football for the first time in 6 years. It would be one thing if Miami simply didn’t have the opportunities to get a win, but they have. And it has been ugly. A Dolphins loss on Thursday against Jacksonville would serve as the team’s worst loss to date — and one that would threaten to put Miami’s season into a tailspin before the end of the first month.
No pressure, but you may want to work your magic, Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Dolphins will need every bit of it.