The Houston Texans have a lot of confidence right now. After being the team to end the perfect season of the Cincinnati Bengals, the Texans are now looking to have their way with the New York Jets who may or may not be with their starting quarterback. After downplaying the thumb surgery Ryan Fitzpatrick underwent, head coach Todd Bowles admits he is not certain the veteran can play on Sunday.
According to ESPN's Rich Cimini, Bowles is not certain what Fitzpatrick's status is for Week 11. The veteran quarterback underwent thumb surgery on Friday and while he was able to play with the injury prior to surgery, it appears things might change heading into Week 11 as Fitzpatrick sits out of practice. According to Bowles, he has full confidence in Geno Smith should the quarterback have to start in Week 11.
"I'm fine with him starting," Bowles said , via ESPN.com. "He's made great progress. He's learned a lot under Ryan. He threw the ball well in Oakland for the most part. So, if he has to play, we'll just keep on moving."
The Jets need Fitzpatrick. They have very little chance beating the Texans with Smith under center. That is just a fact considering the confidence that defense has at the moment. New York is desperate for a win if they intend to stay in playoff contention and right now Smith is not the quarterback that will get the job done.
The biggest need for the Jets right now is getting their role players to step up like they did at the beginning of the year. Chris Ivory is not looking as strong in the backfield. Brandon Marshall has had costly mistakes. Eric Decker is battling injuries. With Zac Stacy out for the season, Stevan Ridley will be the favored backup running back until Bilal Powell gets healthy. He was not enough in Week 10 and might not be in Week 11. According to ESPN.com, as a result the Jets have worked out Dri Archer for help despite Pierre Thomas and Robert Turbin being available. Devin Smith is another player that needs to get his season moving. The receiver has battled injuries and mistakes, but he is making it clear he is not some draft bust.
"Yeah, to be honest, the people who say that, they don't got s--- going on themselves," Smith said, via NJ.com. "Doesn't matter to me. They don't know football themselves. Not everybody is gonna come in and be Amari Cooper. Not going to come in and be Odell Beckham. It takes stepping stones for some people. And that's how I'm kind of approaching it. I'm not getting too worried about what everybody has to say on the outside, because, at the end of the day, that really doesn't matter to me."
If the Jets can get players like Smith and Jeremy Kerley moving, the quarterback position will no longer be much of a concern. Smith can win if he has better role players. For now, New York must hope Fitzpatrick is healthy enough to play.
