Ryan Fitzpatrick: Have the Buffalo Bills Found a Franchise Quarterback?

It may be too early to tell, but Ryan Fitzpatrick is starting to look like a quarterback that the Buffalo Bills could build their franchise around. The Bills offense was abysmal, averaging just 176 passing yards and 8.5 points per game before Fitzpatrick took over as the starting QB. Since then, Fitzpatrick has averaged 242 yards per game, while throwing 11 touchdowns and four interceptions in four games. During this span, the Bills have averaged 26 points per game.

Now, the most impressive thing about Fitzpatrick is the level of competition he has performed so well against. Although the Bills are still winless, three of his four starts have come against the three best teams in the AFC, the Ravens, Jets and Patriots. Fitzpatrick has turned the league’s worst offense into a high flying passing machine.

Currently, Fitzpatrick has the NFL’s second highest passer rating at 102. Only Peyton Manning has been better.

I don’t think anyone is ready to anoint Fitzpatrick the next big QB of the NFL, but he is definitely on his way. He has performed exceptionally well against the league’s best and now the schedule will only get slightly easier.

Fitzpatrick has yet to finish a NFL season with more touchdowns than interceptions, but this looks to be the year. He is poised in the pocket, and he is relying on his playmakers to make plays. Steve Johnson is having his coming out party with five touchdowns in his past four games, and Lee Evans is a premier receiver. The Bills also have an explosive running game with C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson in the backfield.

The point is that Fitzpatrick has weapons around him, and the Bills have a strong offensive core to build a solid team around.

The Bills can’t get much worse, and there’s no pressure on them to make the playoffs this season. Look for Fitzpatrick to keep up his high level of play and give the Bills fans something to look forward to in future seasons.