You Can Get +145 Odds on Ryan Fitzpatrick Taking a Snap for Dolphins in Week 17 – Is It a Good Bet?
- Bookmakers are offering +145 odds that Ryan Fitzpatrick will take a snap at quarterback for the Miami Dolphins in Sunday’s NFL regular-season finale
- The 10-5 Dolphins finish up at Buffalo against the Bills
- Miami is guaranteed an AFC Wild Card playoff spot with a win on Sunday
Tua Tagovailoa will be the starting quarterback on Sunday for the Miami Dolphins. Ryan Fitzpatrick will be in the bullpen, though, heated up and ready to go if needed.
Will the Dolphins turn to Fitzpatrick again with their season on the line? Will he be seen in the huddle and under center?
Is the Fitzmagic going to conjure up another Miami miracle?
Oddsmakers appear to be sold on the idea. A prop is being offered where you can get +145 odds that Fitzpatrick will take at least one snap at quarterback for the Dolphins on Sunday when they’re in Buffalo to face the AFC East champion Bills.
Odds Ryan Fitzpatrick Takes Snap at QB for Dolphins Sunday
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| Yes | +145 |
| No | -180 |
Odds as of Dec 30
Fitzpatrick came off the bench late in last Saturday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders and rallied Miami to a 26-25 victory.
Fitzmagic Potion Casts Spell Over Raiders
With ten minutes to go in the fourth quarter on Saturday, the Raiders led the Dolphins 16-13. That’s when Dolphins head coach Brian Flores made the decision to hook rookie starter Tagovailoa and replace him with 16-season journeyman veteran Fitzpatrick.
In three drives under center, Fitzpatrick passed for 182 yards and a touchdown. He drove the Dolphins downfield for the game-winning field goal.
Ryan Fitzpatrick said for the 1st time in his career he had to go to the locker room to take a pee during the game and when he came back Brian Flores told him he was going in.
Fitz confirmed that it was the top throw/moment in his career.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) December 27, 2020
During that process, with 19 seconds left in the fourth quarter, he completed a 38-yard no-look pass to Mack Hollins. As he unleashed the pass. Fitzpatrick’s face was being twisted skyward by the giant paw of a pass-rushing Raiders defensive lineman.
It’s the the second time this season that Flores has opted to bench Tagovailoa for Fitzpatrick. The other time came during a 20-13 loss to the Denver Broncos.
Ryan Fitzpatrick's 34-yard pass to Mack Hollins to set up a game-winning field goal had a completion probability of 10.9%, the 3rd-most improbable completion this season.
➤ Air Distance: 45.3 yards
➤ QB Under Pressure
➤ Sideline Distance: 0.4 yards#MIAvsLV | #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/EPLja4ZTUZ— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 27, 2020
On that occasion, the Fitzmagic didn’t materialize. He was 12-of-18 for 117 yards, no TDs and one interception. Fitzpatrick posted a passer rating of 61.6.
Fitzpatrick opened the season as Miami’s starting QB before eventually giving way to Tagovailoa, the Dolphins’ 2020 first-round draft choice. He’s 3-3 this season as a starter.
It’s Tua’s Ball to Start
Flores confirmed that Tagovailoa remains his starting QB and will get the nod against the Bills. At the same time, Flores is acknowledging that he won’t hesitate to go to Fitzptrick should the situation warrant that call.
Flores is describing Fitzpatrick as his relief pitcher. It gives him an experienced veteran option off the bench.
Dolphins’ HC Brian Flores said Tua Tagovailoa will continue to be the starting QB in week 17 against Buffalo.
“If we’ve got to go to our relief pitcher in the ninth, that’s what we’ll do,” Flores said. “Fitz (Ryan Fitzpatrick), he’s always ready to go. “
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 27, 2020
Fitzpatrick has started 146 of his 165 NFL games.
There’s another factor in play here. Tagovailoa is currently listed as questionable due to a left thumb injury. He’s a southpaw QB, so that could prove a factor.
Win and Miami’s In
According to the ESPN Power Index, Miami enters Week 17 with a 62% chance of making the NFL playoffs. The easiest way for the Dolphins to do so is to win in Buffalo. A victory guarantees postseason participation.
They also get in if one of Baltimore, Cleveland or Indianapolis loses. But why leave their fate in the hands of others?
“I really trust him (Brian Flores). And the biggest thing and the reason it works is because he’s a great communicator. So I’m going to trust him whatever he’s going to do.”
—Ryan Fitzpatrick— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) December 27, 2020
Flores figures to pull out all the stops in order to try and beat the Bills. Maybe Tagovailoa gets them going off the hop and the Dolphins roll to victory.
If not, it’s hard to believe Flores won’t hand the keys to the offense to Fitzpatrick at some point. Fitzpatrick started against the Bills during Week 2. He threw for 328 yards and two TDs in a 31-28 loss.
Pick: Yes (+145)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
