Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is on a tear since taking over for Trent Edwards after the second game of the season. Right now, Fitzpatrick ranks ninth in the NFL in attempts per game (35.2), 13th in yards per game (240), sixth in touchdowns (12 in only five games), and tenth in passer rating (91.1).
The biggest statistic is the touchdown mark. This season, Fitzpatrick has thrown a TD pass in all five of his games and two or more scores in four starts. Dating back to December of last season, Fitzpatrick has thrown a touchdown in eight straight games. That's the longest streak by a Bills QB since Drew Bledsoe began his career in Buffalo with ten straight games throwing a touchdown pass.
Since Jim Kelly retired, only four Bills QBs have a similar streak of more than five games: Fitzpatrick, Bledsoe, Todd Collins (eight, 1996-7) and Doug Flutie, who is tops with 12 straight games in 1999 to lead the Bills to the playoffs.
Other notable QB runs include Bledsoe adding bands of six and five during the remainder of his time in Buffalo, J.P. Losman's five-game streak, and Kelly Holcomb and Edwards both passing for a TD in four straight.
One notable streak did come to an end this week for Fitzpatrick. Entering Week 8, he had five straight games with at least two touchdown throws. That hasn't happened for a Bills QB since Bledsoe's first year, either. Kelly only had a streak that long once, with seven straight from 1991 to 1992.
The last time Fitzpatrick played in a game for the Bills without scoring a touchdown was December 3, 2009 against the New York Jets. Fitzpatrick was knocked out of that game after going 9-of-23 with an interception. He's still a long way from Kelly's team-record 16 straight games with a TD pass set between 1986-1987.