
Getty Image / Michael Reaves
On Monday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ryan Fitzpatrick aka ‘Fitzmagic’ became the first player in NFL history to throw for more than 400 yards in three consecutive games.
Fitzmagic is the BACKUP QB while Tampa Bay’s starting QB Jameis Winston was serving a three-game suspension which ended this morning and in that time he led the Buccaneers to a 2-1 record, beating two 2017/2018 NFL Playoffs teams in their first two weeks of the season and nearly beating the Steelers on MNF after some late-game heroics.
The MNF game started horribly for Fitzmagic which wasn’t all that surprising to people who have followed his career. He’s the type of player that gets hot for a few games and then experiences a massive regression at some point. That appeared to be happening in the first half of last night’s game when he threw three interceptions including a pick-six.
Tampa Bay scored 17 unanswered points in the second half with 14 points in the 4th quarter and Bucs fans like myself actually believed the Buccaneers might pull off the improbable comeback. The ‘Fitzmagic’ came in the 4th quarter when Ryan connected to wide receiver Mike Evans for a 24-yard touchdown with 5min49sec left in the 4th quarter.
Ryan Fitzpatrick made meme history after borrowing teammate DeSean Jackson’s outfit in Week 2 after beating the Philadelphia Eagles for his press conference. Flash forward to that 4th quarter drive against the Steelers in Week 4 and Fitzmagic is making meme history once again with his insanely energetic TD face.
TFW you get your magic back!#PITvsTB pic.twitter.com/0J0D1XlnIo
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 25, 2018
MAGIC INTENSIFIES pic.twitter.com/xSNlqx6Wtc
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) September 25, 2018
Same.
Fitzpatrick's face after that 3rd TD pass tho was priceless…Finally a QB with some talent and drive pic.twitter.com/gzgLTw03H6
— Cody (@BoltzCH) September 25, 2018
TFW U NEVER DOUBTED THAT RYAN FITZMAGIC WOULD BECOME THE 1ST QB IN NFL HISTORY TO THROW FOR 400 YDS IN 3 STRAIGHT GAMES pic.twitter.com/tzuYAwumbu
— ‘Miserable’ Pablo Torre 🕳️ (@PabloTorre) September 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/realrandyallen/status/1044429830203363328
I think everyone in Tampa was feeling the Fitzmagic last night even if the Bucs game up 3 points short of beating the previously winless Pittsburgh Steelers.
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 25, 2018
He's possessed… with #Fitzmagic #PITvsTB pic.twitter.com/mMBUxTEUSr
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) September 25, 2018
The Fitzmagic is like Red Bull, it gives you wings.
https://twitter.com/jordan12191/status/1044426125500436481
https://twitter.com/Jarvis_894/status/1044564537960255488
I can't believe no other QB in NFL history had 3 straight 400 yards + games. Fitzpatrick is the first. That's beyond stunning.#Fitzmagic pic.twitter.com/BKGkO1owzI
— starblazer (@01Starblazer) September 25, 2018
When it’s the 4th quarter and you start to turn into #fitzmagic pic.twitter.com/yqzAdghAJl
— Edward Espinoza (@th1n5quid) September 25, 2018
Side note: has there ever been a mascot that’s gained more popularity in under 24-hours than Gritty? No, the answer is no.
https://twitter.com/leahflame/status/1044426304177590272
Tampa Bay’s starting QB Jameis Winston completed his 3-game suspension as of this morning and will be eligible to play in the Bucs’ next game. There have been conflicting reports on who the Bucs will choose to start, Jameis or Fitzpatrick.
On the one hand, EVERYONE knows that Fitzmagic is due for regression at some point. We saw it in the first half of last night’s game and it will come again and it’ll be worse. On the other hand, you’d be insane to bench the first QB to throw for over 400-yards in three consecutive games for a QB coming off suspension who hasn’t been able to practice with the team and has exhibited off-field character issues repeatedly throughout his career.
I went to FSU. I live in the greater Tampa Bay area. I know the saga of Jameis very well. The Bucs need to ride the Fitzmagic train until it sputters out.