Week 6 at Arizona
Ryan Fitzpatrick has been bad for most of the season, but he was at least better against the Steelers last week. He did not throw a pick, after throwing nine in his previous two games. However, his numbers still weren't great. He did throw a touchdown pass and added 255 yards, but the Jets passing game still didn't resemble last season's.
The Jets face the Cardinals this week, who are 13th in aFPA to quarterbacks. But Fitzpatrick still has to prove he can get back to where he was in 2015. It doesn't look that way now, so keep Fitzpatrick on the bench.
Week 5 at Pittsburgh
Ryan Fitzpatrick has been a mess the last two weeks, totaling one touchdown and nine interceptions. There is panic in New York because the Jets have seem to lost faith in the veteran QB, but are not willing to make any kind of move at the position. So Fitzpatrick will get a chance to work out of his slump.
The Jets travel to Pittsburgh, where the Steelers defense is ranked 19th in aFPA to quarterbacks. Fitzpatrick should put up yardage numbers against Pittsburgh, but the Steelers have been bend not break.
Keep Fitzpatrick on the bench for Week 5. He has been so bad that it's not worth even risking him in your lineup. The interception problem alone keeps him out of lineups.
Week 4 vs. Seattle
Ugly. That's the best word to describe Ryan Fitzpatrick's performance last week, as six interceptions were thrown by the veteran QB. Throw out the tape. But don't jump ship just yet. That's Fitzpatrick's style. He's a gunslinger.
However, don't expect it to get much better this week as the Jets face the Seahawks. Seattle is eigth in aFPA to quarterbacks. This is not a great matchup for Fitzpatrick, and should relegate him to the bench on every league and format for Week 6.
Week 3 at Kansas City
After a lackluster Week 1, Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 374 yards in Week 2. However, he only threw one touchdown pass. The Jets were able to run the ball in the end zone so fantasy owners had to be satisfied with the increase in passing yards. One concern for Week 3 is the health of Fitzpatrick's receivers. Both Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker are banged up so check on them before Sunday's game.
The Kansas City defense is especially tough at home. The last time Fitzpatrick faced the Chiefs in 2013, it wasn't a great performance with 1 TD and 2 INTs. KC's numbers haven't been great through two weeks ranked 21st in aFPA to quarterbacks.
Fitzpatrick ranks only a QB2 for Week 3. This matchup is worrisome as the Chiefs defense was much better last week on the road in Houston. Fitzpatrick is not a good play in any format this Sunday.
Week 2 at Buffalo
Ryan Fitzpatrick's Week 1 performance wasn't anything like what we saw most of 2015, as the veteran QB only connected on 54 percent of his passes for 189 yards. The consolation was two touchdowns passes, but the vertical game and red zone efficiency were both poor. Fitzpatrick only completed three passes over 20 yards and the Jets (who were third in the NFL in the red zone) scored just two touchdowns in five trips.
It doesn't appear things will get any better this Thursday as the Jets face division rival Buffalo. In his career against Rex Ryan defenses, Fitzpatrick has completed only 47 percent of his passes for an average of 166 yards per game. He is 1-8 in starts and even though he threw four touchdowns in the two meetings with the Bills last year, he also threw five interceptions.
Fitzpatrick is off to a slow start, and the Jets will be too unless things change quickly. Sit Fitzpatrick for Week 2. He is a QB3 in a bad matchup on the road with a short week.
Week 1 vs. Cincinnati
The veteran quarterback went through a ton of offseason drama with his contract situation, but Ryan Fitzpatrick is signed as the Jets starter going into 2016. He threw for 3,905 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2015, so it's hard to understand why it got so complicated this summer.
One question people will have is about the time away from the team. Although, Fitzpatrick had great chemistry with Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, will they struggle early in the season?
That could be the case Week 1 as they face one of the best pass defenses in the NFL in 2015. Cincinnati was 2nd in aFPA to quarterbacks and should be good again in 2016. That should keep Fitzpatrick on fantasy benches. He will be a QB2 most weeks, but this might be one of his lowest rankings of the season.
Fantasy Upside
Now that the business side has been settled, Ryan Fitzpatrick can get back to work. The veteran put some of the best numbers of his career in 2015 and with all of his weapons back, he should be poised to continue to have success. He has a new offensive coordinator in Chan Gailey, who has been very good with quarterbacks of all levels.
Fantasy Downside
Even though Fitzpatrick put up some outstanding numbers last season, the 15 interceptions were a little worrisome. And how much longer can he play at high level. Some quarterbacks do start to slow down in their mid 30s which is where Fitzpatrick is headed.
2016 Bottom Line
The Jets are glad Fitzpatrick is back and I am sure fantasy owners are too. Although, it's hard to expect the same numbers from last year, he remains a viable QB2 and can even give you QB1 numbers at times. Fitzpatrick has been steady for most of his career and overall he can be a major fantasy asset in 2016.
Week 17 vs. Buffalo
A very impressive outing for Ryan Fitzpatrick who completed 26 of 41 passes for 296 yards and three touchdowns including the game-winner in overtime over the Patriots. In his past five games, Fitzpatrick has thrown 13 touchdowns and only 1 interception. It was the third time in that stretch that he threw three or more in a game.
In the first meeting with Buffalo this season, Fitzpatrick wasn't very good. He only threw for 193 yards and two interceptions in the loss. The Bills are 14th in aFPA to quarterbacks so no advantage either way. Start Fitzpatrick as a low-end QB1. He has the hot hand right now and has been a fantasy asset the past month.
Week 16 vs. New England
Ryan Fitzpatrick took a small step back last week against the Cowboys. Even though he threw for 299 yards, his multiple-TD game streak was stopped at three and he threw his first interception since Week 11. Still, Fitzpatrick has been a Top-10 quarterback all season.
In the first meeting with New England, Fitzpatrick threw for 295 yards and two touchdowns. The Pats are 8th in aFPA to quarterbacks and have gotten better since that first meeting. Although we have endorsed Fitzpatrick as a starter in recent weeks, we only rank him as a high-end QB2 for Week 16. Keep him on the bench.
Week 15 at Dallas
In his last three games, Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown nine touchdowns without an interception. He averaged 313 yards per game and basically has exceeded New York's expectations. Fitzpatrick has been red-hot.
The Cowboys come in with one of the better defenses against quarterbacks. They are ranked 4th in aFPA to quarterbacks, but the way Fitzpatrick has played, that might not be a factor. Start Fitzpatrick as a low-end QB1 and hope he stays on his hot streak.
