The Miami Dolphins were presented with a postnatal dose of FitzMagic.
Veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick replaced Tua Tagovailoa in the fourth quarter on Saturday and led his team to a notable victory to secure a 26-25 road victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, significantly increasing Miami’s chances of making the playoffs.
The game came with the Dolphins losing 25-23, with only 19 seconds to go. Fitzpatrick stepped back and launched an attempt at ave maria on the left sideline, where he found an open receiver at Mack Hollins for a 34-yard finish. It was redemption for Hollins, who dropped a possible touchdown a few minutes earlier.
“For want of a better term,” said Hollins, “I live for this only —.”
“In that case, you’re really saying a prayer,” said Fitzpatrick. “I didn’t know if it was complete initially. My mask was being pulled out and my head was being torn off. I turned around to make sure they saw the mask, so [right tackle] Jesse Davis or [running back] Myles Gaskin had to tell me it was done. “
Raiders’ defensive striker Arden Key ripped Fitzpatrick’s mask, adding a crucial 15-yard penalty to the move. The yards prepared the Dolphins for Jason Sanders’ 44-yard field goal.
It was a crazy final five minutes that consisted of a 59-yard touchdown pass from Fitzpatrick to Gaskin, a Raiders go-ahead field goal with 19 seconds remaining aided by very questionable passing interference and, finally, the final howl of Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick added that, during the fourth quarter, it was the first time in his 16-year career in the NFL that he had to go to the locker room bathroom. When he returned, Dolphins coach Brian Flores told Fitzpatrick that he was going to play. After several roller coaster sets for both teams, Fitzpatrick made what he called the best play of his career with a shot for Hollins.
There was also a unique decision by the Raiders to make Josh Jacobs slide on the 1-yard line, establishing a field goal, instead of the running back crossing the goal line for a touchdown.
The 10-5 Dolphins now have a 62% chance of making it to the playoffs, according to the ESPN Football Power Index, and their path is very simple: win next weekend at Buffalo Bills and they are ready for the postseason for the first time since 2016.
This is the second time this season that Tagovailoa stops being eliminated in the fourth period of a tough game in search of an offensive impulse. The other was the week 11 defeat at the Denver Broncos. Fitzpatrick almost failed to recover in that game, ending up performing the incredible trick on Saturday.
Despite the theater in Las Vegas, Flores said Tagovailoa will be the starter next weekend against the Bills. Flores said he went to Fitzpatrick on Saturday because the team needed a “spark to win the game”, but that the rookie will still be number 1 on the depth chart.
“If we go to a substitute pitcher in the ninth [inning], that’s what we’re going to do, “said Flores.” Fitz, he is always ready to go. … I have a lot of confidence in Yours. He made a lot of plays for us. He made plays today. We felt that we needed a spark. Fitzy gave us that.
“Tua is a young player. He is developing. He is improving day by day. He is learning from these experiences. He will improve next week.”
Fitzpatrick shot for 182 yards in the fourth quarter, tied with his most yards in the final frame (2013 Week 15 vs. Arizona Cardinals).
Fitzpatrick managed to complete more passes thrown over 5 yards on the field than Tagovailoa, who fought heavily on those same moves. Fitzpatrick made 5 of 6 for 154 yards and a touchdown, while Tagovailoa made 3 of 7 for 35 yards. Fitzpatrick averaged 9.8 yards per attempt at 4.2 for Tagovailoa.
Tagovailoa, 22, said that after the victory it is a learning experience and that he knows he needs to take more risks on the field, especially when the game is at stake. It is an ongoing balance for him to take what the defense gives him and make early moves like Fitzpatrick did.
“It wasn’t really shocking what happened. They call him FitzMagic for a reason,” said Tagovailoa. “This is the second time [getting benched has] It happened. It’s just something you need to learn from. When Fitz is there, I will support you. “
Flores has relied on Fitzpatrick, 38, as an experienced striker when needed in a complicated situation, apparently with little concern about what his arrival in the squad does to Tagovailoa’s mentality. The two defenders said they will do everything the team believes will give Miami the best chance of winning. The team supports both, and there does not appear to be any controversy over who will be the defender, although players often notice the magical feeling when Fitzpatrick joins the team.
“Different energy. Everyone knows Fitz, he’s a different type of guy. It’s a change,” said Gaskin. “Probably the most fun game I’ve ever played in my life.”
Ultimately, the moves Flores made were worth it, and they may have saved the Dolphins’ playoff chances. The questions will come about Tagovailoa in the long run and Fitzpatrick in the short run, but Flores remains focused on what he believes is best for the team now with his choices.
“There are a lot of people in that locker room who are trying to win. This is at the forefront of the decisions I’m going to make here today and move forward while I’m here,” said Flores. “Yours is a tough kid. He’s a tough guy. He’s happy that Fitzy went there and we won the game because he’s an altruistic guy who prioritizes the team; that’s why he’s here.”