Even after Ryan Fitzpatrick’s ill-timed fourth-quarter interceptions killed the Jets’ comeback hopes in a 24-17 loss to Philadelphia, coach Todd Bowles insisted there’s no quarterback controversy and Fitzpatrick is still his starter. But he added Fitzpatrick’s three interceptions Sunday were game-killers.
“Three interceptions. You can’t turn the ball over, that goes without saying,’’ Bowles said. “Whether they get tipped or anything like that, we know we can’t turn the ball over. You’re not going to win a game throwing three interceptions.’’
Some costlier than others. With running back Chris Ivory sidelined, the Jets’ impotent ground game made them one-dimensional. With the passing game that only dimension, Fitzpatrick just wasn’t good enough. He tied a career-high with 58 attempts, rarely went deep but still committed three turnovers.
Playing without Eric Decker, Fitzpatrick finished 35-of-58 for 282 yards, two touchdowns and the three interceptions — two of them in the final 6 ½ minutes of the game to short-circuit a comeback attempt.
“Yeah, it was tough,’’ Fitzpatrick said. “We can’t give them the ball. We had plenty of chances there in the fourth quarter — especially after the turnover created by our defense — to go out there and continue the momentum, and who knows what happens there? But yeah, the two interceptions, that hurt us.
“The winning formula for us is not going to be turning the ball over and throwing it 58 times. I think we know that. We’ve got to play a better game, a smarter game and everybody on offense will contribute better.’’
After Gang Green fell behind 24-0 in the second quarter, Fitzpatrick tossed a 16-yard TD to Brandon Marshall with 6 seconds left in the half. Then he capped an 8:11 drive with a 7-yard, fourth-quarter TD to Jeremy Kerley to make it 14-14.
But on second-and-10 from the Eagles’ 30 with 6:33 left — just three plays after the Jets’ defense had recovered a fumble — Fitzpatrick saw his sideline pass go through Marshall’s hands and get intercepted by Jordan Hicks.
“It was big. It was a momentum-changer. We thought we had a shot then, but then to turn it right back over, it just dashes hope a bit,’’ said Bowles, who reiterated Fitzpatrick will hold onto the job over Geno Smith. “Ryan’s our starter.”
Asked if that proclamation helps his confidence, Fitzpatrick said, “Coming off a loss like this and feeling the disappointment of going out there and turning the ball over and not putting up enough points [when] our defense played well enough for us to win the football game, that’s just motivation to continue to climb that hill and continue to try to get better as an offense, and as a player for me.”
Fitzpatrick’s third interception came with 3:28 left, picked off by Walter Thurmond to essentially seal the loss.
“You’ve got to keep your composure and certainly the turnovers didn’t help. You’ve got to just take it one drive at a time and not panic,’’ Fitzpatrick said. “At times, whether it was plays by me or other guys, we lacked a little bit of patience.’’