ORCHARD PARK — Unlike his first two weeks as the Buffalo Bills interim head coach, Perry Fewell didn’t find it necessary to announce his starting quarterback on Tuesday.
That decision is a given: Fewell’s sticking with Ryan Fitzpatrick.
The fifth-year journeyman, who began the season as Trent Edwards’ backup, has secured the No. 1 job, most likely for the rest of the year. Fitzpatrick will make his third consecutive start — and fifth this season — on Thursday, when Buffalo (4-7) plays the New York Jets (5-6) in the Bills’ second annual home game in Toronto.
Fewell didn’t need more convincing to end whatever quarterback debate there had been in Buffalo, by reflecting on Fitzpatrick’s gutty performance down the stretch in a 31-14 win over Miami last weekend.
In a game in which the Bills outscored the Dolphins 24-0 in the final 14 minutes, Fitzpatrick’s 51-yard touchdown pass to Terrell Owens stood out. Rather than play it safe and go with the short pass the Bills had called while nursing a 3-point lead, Fitzpatrick went with his gut when spotting Owens lined up in one-on-one coverage.
“He had a lot of confidence in that he could execute the play and get it done,” Fewell said, acknowledging his jaw dropped when he heard Fitzpatrick make the call at the line of scrimmage. “And I just think that speaks volumes for him because he saw the look and he went with what he felt was right.”
In a season in which very little has gone right for Buffalo’s sputtering offense, Fitzpatrick has at least provided a spark.
Under Fitzpatrick, the Bills have generated more than 340 yards offense in each of their past two games, including an 18-15 loss at Jacksonville. Prior to that, the Bills had gone seven straight games without hitting the 300-yard mark.
Just as important, Fitzpatrick has begun to establish a deep-threat passing attack by getting Owens more involved. After managing just 366 yards receiving in his first nine games, Owens has nearly doubled that number with 293 yards in his past two. That includes a season-best 197-yard outing against the Jaguars, in which Owens caught a 98-yard touchdown pass.
It’s no surprise which quarterback Owens favors.
“With Fitz back there, there are opportunities. And I feel like I’m a part of the offense,” Owens said. “Whereas I know earlier, those feelings and those opportunities, I didn’t feel that they were there.”
Owens went further by questioning whether Fitzpatrick should’ve had the chance to start sooner.
“Obviously, with us having the record we were having, just say if he was out there throughout the year and doing that?” Owens said. “He’s putting us in the best position for the team to succeed.”
With a 2-2 record as a starter this season, Fitzpatrick also rallied the Bills to a 16-13 overtime win over the Jets on Oct. 18 in taking over after Edwards was knocked out by a concussion.
Fitzpatrick’s numbers aren’t all that impressive. He’s 73 of 134 for 905 yards, with four touchdowns and seven interceptions. But he’s won the trust of the Bills receivers by attempting deep passes and throwing into coverage — something Edwards resisted.
“He’s definitely not afraid to take a shot. And he trusts what he sees,” receiver Lee Evans said. “He has that type of savvy-ness about him, that leadership about him that you could just trust the guy.”
Fitzpatrick signed with the Bills as a free agent this offseason after starting 12 games for Cincinnati last year after Carson Palmer was hurt. After a shaky start, he helped the Bengals go 4-3-1 down the stretch, including winning his last three games.
“I don’t feel like I have to prove anything to anyone personally,” Fitzpatrick said. “I know, especially after last year, that I can be a successful starter in this league. And now that I’m on another team and we’re winning games, maybe that shows a little more.”
