The Miami Dolphins received a post-Christmas dose of FitzMagic.
Veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick replaced Tua Tagovailoa in the fourth quarter Saturday and led his team to a remarkable victory to secure a 26-25 decision over the Las Vegas Raiders, significantly increasing Miami’s chances of making the playoffs.
The game came with the Dolphins under 25-23 with just 19 seconds left. Fitzpatrick retreated and threw an attempt at Ave Maria on the left side, where he found a receiver open to Mack Hollins to complete 34 yards. It was redemption for Hollins, who dropped a potential touchdown just minutes earlier.
“For lack of a better term,” Hollins said, “I live for it.”
“In that case, you’re really throwing out a prayer,” Fitzpatrick said. “I didn’t know it was complete at first. My face mask was stretching and my head was ripped off. I turned to make sure they saw the face mask. [right tackle] Jesse Davis o [running back] Myles Gaskin had to tell me it was over. “
Raiders defensive line player Arden Key was the one who ripped off Fitzpatrick’s mask and added a crucial 15-yard penalty to the play. The yard prepared the Dolphins to score a 44-yard winning field goal from Jason Sanders.
It was a wild five-minute finale that consisted of Fitzpatrick’s 59-yard touchdown pass to Gaskin, a 19-second Raiders field goal aided by a highly questionable passing interference call, and finally the late Fitzpatrick height.
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 he would go to the game. After a handful of roller coaster series for both teams, Fitzpatrick made what he called the best play of his career with the throw to Hollins.
There was also a unique decision by the Raiders to make Josh Jacobs slip into the 1-yard line, setting up a field goal, rather than crossing the finish line for a touchdown.
The 10-5 Dolphins now have a 62% chance of reaching the playoffs, according to ESPN’s football power index, and their path is very simple: win next weekend at Buffalo Bills and they are tied to the postseason for the first time since 2016.
This is the second time this season Tagovailoa has been sitting in the fourth quarter of a tight match looking for an offensive boost. The other was the Week 11 loss to the Denver Broncos. Fitzpatrick was left with little comeback in that game and finally pulled off the incredible trick on Saturday.
Despite the cinema in Las Vegas, Flores said Tagovailoa will be the headline 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 remain number 1 in the depth box.
“If we reached a first – aid launcher in the ninth [inning]”That’s what we’re going to do,” Flores said. Fitz, he’s always ready. … I have a lot of confidence in Yours. He has done many plays for us. Today he has done plays. We just felt like we needed a spark. Fitzy gave it to us.
“Tua is a young player. He’s developing. He’s getting better every day. Learn from those experiences. Next week will be better.”
Fitzpatrick threw 182 yards in the fourth quarter, tying most yards in a final frame (Week 15 of 2013 against Arizona Cardinals).
Fitzpatrick managed to complete more passes thrown more than 5 yards below the field than Tagovailoa, who fought powerfully on the same pitches. Fitzpatrick was 5 of 6 for 154 yards and a touchdown, while Tagovailoa was 3 of 7 for 35 yards. Fitzpatrick averaged 9.8 yards per attempt at 4.2 for Tagovailoa.
Tagovailoa, 22, said after the win it is a learning experience and he knows he needs to take more chances on the field, especially when the game is in play. It’s a continuous balance for him when it comes to getting what the defense gives him and making the first-hand plays like Fitzpatrick did.
“What happened wasn’t that shocking in a way. They call it FitzMagic for a reason,” Tagovailoa said. “This is the second time [getting benched has] happened. It’s just something you have to learn. When Fitz is there, I will support him. “
Flores has continuously relied on 38-year-old Fitzpatrick as a more experienced one when needed in a sticky situation, seemingly with little concern when it comes to training in Tagovailoa’s mindset. The two quarterbacks have said they will do whatever staff believes gives Miami the best chance of winning. The team supports both of them and there doesn’t seem to be any controversy about who will be the quarterback, although players often notice the magical feeling when Fitzpatrick enters the lineup.
“Different energy. Everyone knows Fitz, he’s a different kind of guy. It’s a change,” Gaskin said. “Probably the most fun game I’ve ever played in my life.”
Ultimately, the moves Flores has made have paid off and they may have saved the Dolphins ’playoff chances. Questions will come about Tagovailoa in the long run and Fitzpatrick in the short run, but Flores remains focused on what he thinks is best for the team now with his decisions.
“There are a lot of people in this locker room who are trying to win. That’s the vanguard of the decisions I’m going to make here today and move forward whenever I’m here,” Flores said. “Tua is a tough guy. He’s a tough-minded guy. He’s glad Fitzy came in and we won the game because he’s a selfless guy, first on the team; that’s why he’s here.”