Ryan Fitzpatrick Delivers Huge Clutch Performance in New York Jets Week 15 Win

In the first quarter on Saturday night against the Dallas Cowboys, Ryan Fitzpatrick's helmet gouged the bridge of his nose and left a gnarly red cut. CBS gave us the usual head-on shot of the quarterback reading the defense—a shot we get every week—but it almost seemed as though they were zoomed in on the cut.

The cut was a reminder of the Jets' season. A 4-1 start with a fresh-faced look all over the roster, followed by a 1-4 skid that cast doubt on the direction of the franchise. But after a resilient performance down the stretch—a four-game win streak in the context of the season, and a 19-16 win against the Cowboys on Saturday night—the Jets kept and are keeping their playoff hopes alive.

The Harvard graduate (did you know Fitzpatrick is a Harvard graduate?) and the Jets' entire offense struggled for the first three quarters of the game but put up more points in the final 15 minutes (10 points) than they put up in the first 45 minutes (nine points). The veteran quarterback finished 26-of-39 passing (66.7 percent) for 299 yards (7.7 yards per attempt), one touchdown, one interception and an 87.4 passer rating.

Yeah, you might as well throw all those stats out the window. 

His performance can be summed up in four words: effective when it mattered. He was 10-of-12 for 138 yards and a touchdown on the Jets' final two drives, including this beautiful deep strike to Kenbrell Thompkins for what would prove to be the dagger.

Fitzpatrick finally threw that long-awaited interception, but it did not prevent him from leading the team to victory. Once again, the Jets offense struggled in the running game, a trend that's becoming all too regular this season. But as that trend has continued over the past month, Fitzpatrick has risen to the challenge to lead the Jets.

Over the previous three games, Fitzpatrick had done so by playing flawlessly and at a dynamic level that rivals the highest highs of his career. On Saturday night against the Cowboys, he did it by playing his best not for a full 60 minutes, but when his team needed him the most. 

Certainly, the Amish Rifle deserves credit for stepping up in the team's most dire hour, but a lot of credit goes to Chan Gailey, too. Specifically, his play design on the goal-line touchdown pass to wide receiver Eric Decker is a perfect example of his strengths and what he can do when he has a talented group to work with.

Fitzpatrick also has the gift of working with wide receivers like Decker and Brandon Marshall, two pass-catchers who are truly the gift that keeps on giving (and also receiving). The Jets' two pass-catchers have combined for more receiving touchdowns than any pair of wide receivers in Jets history.

That being said, do not take away from Fitzpatrick's portion of the credit. He delivered those passes in the right spots. He brushed off three bad quarters to deliver one brilliant quarter. He fought through a bad stretch of midseason football and is responding to a lot of doubt about his ability to lead the Jets into the playoffs and on a deep run in the postseason. 

Fitzpatrick on Saturday night is quintessential Fitzpatrick in 2015, which is exactly what the Jets are going to need if they want to get to the playoffs: perseverance personified.