Ryan Fitzpatrick certainly saved his worst for last.
After 15 games worth remembering, a memorable season was headed towards the unfamiliar postseason for the New York Jets. However, Fitzpatrick, and the Green and White faithful have now done all they can to forget the final showdown of the 2015-2016 season.
Coming of a nail biter win against the New England Patriots in overtime, thanks in part to Fitzpatrick's game winning touchdown pass to Eric Decker in the corner of the end zone during the game's fifth quarter. They had done the unthinkable, and now the Jets were one win away from their first playoff berth since 2010. Vengeance and a desired spoiler stood in their way as the Jets headed to Buffalo to face the Bills and former coach Rex Ryan the final game of the season. Rex, set on sending home the team that kicked him to the curb just a season ago.
More than anything, it was the Jets, in typical Jets fashion, who beat themselves. They failed to win the big game, largely due to the play of Fitzpatrick. In undoubtedly his poorest performance of the 2015-2016 campaign, Fitz completed only 16 passes out of 37 attempts, and despite throwing two touchdowns, was picked off three times. Two of those interceptions were inside 2:00 minutes of the fourth quarter, and both halted drives that could have potentially given New York the lead. So despite having the best season of his journeyed, tenured career, where he accumulated 3,905 passing yards and 31 touchdowns, that final performance washed away the rest. His costly interceptions washed away the hopes of the Jets finally reaching the playoffs after five long and painful years.
In the NFL it's your performance in the last game of your team's season that truly matters, and that overshadows everything else. Just look at Cam Newton. There's a reason why Fitzpatrick has never made it to the playoffs, and why he's bounced around the NFL. He can't win the big game and, although not tested in those situations too often prior to his first stint with the Jets, his future in Green and White reflects heavily on his fantasy worth for the future season.
The Jets have made it a priority to resign their free agent quarterback, although the drafting of Christian Hackenberg and Fitzgerald still being a free agent in early June makes one wonder if they are prepared to let him walk. Should he return to the Jets, his fantasy value will revive to what it was last year. This is due largely in part to his weapons, Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. The Jets will also be looking for big improvements from Tight End Jace Amaro and 2015 2nd round pick, Wide Receiver Devin Smith. With the solid running game and one of the league's top defense put together by Todd Bowles, there is plenty to like about Fitz regarding fantasy. As a way-too-early prediction, he will likely be out of the top ten in 2016-2017 quarterback rankings. He should see a spot on fantasy benches, just as long as he is still a Jet.
NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room
[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]