Ryan Fitzpatrick likely would have produced his best NFL season if the grizzled veteran stayed on the trajectory he was on with the Miami Dolphins before they benched him.
Chan Gailey offense was growing with Fitzpatrick as the conductor. His quick decision-making and savviness in the pocket was helping a young, and potentially fragile offensive line grow up and develop much-needed chemistry.
And the early leads Fitzpatrick and the offense provided in Miami’s three wins allowed Brian Flores' 3-4 hybrid defensive scheme to thrive by turning up the volume on its aggressiveness while the team was in possession of double-digit advantages.