One thing you can’t say about Ryan Fitzpatrick’s 2016 season is that it’s been boring. The veteran quarterback has shown up in headlines from the summer on, tackling everything from contract holdouts to six-interception performances to railing against his own coaches.
Jets vs. Dolphins 2016: Start time, live stream, TV schedule, and 3 things to know
Ryan Fitzpatrick has become must-see television, just not in a good way.
On Sunday, he’ll try to keep the momentum from a comeback win over Cleveland rolling as his Jets travel south to Miami for an AFC East matchup with the Dolphins.
Fitzpatrick’s terrible first half left New York in a 20-7 hole and even had Joe Namath calling for his benching. He rebounded from that 30-yard passing performance to complete 65 percent of his passes for 198 yards — and to break the Browns’ collective hearts in a 31-28 victory.
The win improved the Jets’ record to 3-5 and kept their dim playoff hopes alive. With little chance at a division title, a win in Miami on Sunday is paramount for a chance at a 17th game. The AFC hasn’t exactly been a gauntlet of top teams this fall, but only one team has rallied from a 1-5 start to make the playoffs since 1990.
How to Watch New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins on Sunday
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Fla.
TV: CBS
Announcers: Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Jamie Erdahl
Online: Sunday Ticket
Three big things to know:
1. Miami is also battling for postseason relevance, and the back half of its schedule is loaded with winnable games. The Dolphins are currently 3-4, but eight of their final nine games are against teams with .500 records or worse. The only winning team they’ll face is New England, but that Week 17 showdown could be little more than a glorified exhibition if the Patriots have locked down a playoff spot by then and Bill Belichick decides to rest his starters.
Outside of the Pats, Miami’s biggest challenges will come against Arizona (3-4-1), Buffalo (4-4), San Diego (3-5), and Baltimore (3-4). Don’t be surprised to see the Dolphins in the playoff hunt come December.
2. Jay Ajayi is a monster, but you already knew that if you played against him in fantasy football. Ajayi ran for only 189 yards as a fifth-round rookie in 2015. He eclipsed that total in one day when he carved up the Steelers for 204 yards in Week 6, then outdid himself by springing for 214 against the Bills the following week. In just two weeks, the sophomore sensation went from afterthought to fantasy season savior. He currently ranks 10th in the league in total rushing despite gaining just 117 yards through the Dolphins first five games.
3. Matt Forte hasn’t been efficient, but he’s been effective. At age 30, Forte hasn’t been the same dynamic back he was as a star player with Chicago, but he’s be an invaluable piece of the New York offense. The veteran tailback is running for just 3.5 yards per carry this season, the lowest of his nine-year career to date. However, in Jets’ wins he’s averaged 94 rushing yards per game; in losses that figure drops to 52. Getting the veteran back involved and churning out first downs has been a big key to his team’s success in 2016.
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