Jimmy Garoppolo: Your 2015 AFC MVP?
by Scoops Caligiri - NFL.com Staff WriterFriday, October 30, 2015
In what has become the meme of the month of October, Jimmy Garoppolo jumped, twisted and turned his way into Internet stardom while earning himself a seat on the bench.
What happened next has been well-documented: His Dolphins coaching staff and front office went out and traded for backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick from division rival New England in what was then viewed as an overreaction to a rookie (aerial) mistake.
Now, fast forward to Thursday night and Tom Brady being carted off of the Gillette Stadium turf with a broken collarbone for what looks to be the remainder of the regular season.
Instead of the bearded one taking snaps for the Brady-less Pats, you have rookie Brett Hundley (formerly back up to the pre-leaping Garoppolo Dolphins) calling the shots.
Would the Patriots, now 6-1, continue to be contenders with Fitzpatrick under center? Perhaps.
Are they even favorites to win the AFC East now with Hundley calling the shots? Probably not.
The Garoppolo Floppolo did nothing to help Jimmy the player eventually earn the full-time gig in Miami, but it did earn Jimmy the jumper a special footnote in the 2015 season archives.
Fans in Miami, New York and Buffalo now have a second chance to dream about the playoffs with New England now in a vulnerable position.
The Jets (2-4), Bills (3-4) and Dolphins (3-4), each with a game left against the Patriots, all have a legitimate shot at unseating the Pats if they can move past their early season woes.
"It changes everything now," New York coach Todd Bowles said. "It all starts for us in Oakland Sunday - this division is up for grabs."
Bills coach Rex Ryan was a bit less PC in his response.
"Boo-Friggin-Hoo. It's our time now."
Only time will tell for sure, but this AFC East race just got a whole lot more interesting.
Thanks @JimmyFlips.
