The Buffalo Bills made a quarterback change, benching starter Tyrod Taylor for rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman, who will make his first NFL career start Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. Bills coach Sean McDermott made the change after the team suffered a two-game losing streak, dropping them to 5-4. Explaining his decision, McDermott said the quarterback switch is about making the Bills a better team. The Bills are still in the playoff race, owning the sixth and final playoff spot in the AFC, ahead by one game over the Baltimore Ravens, Oakland Raiders and Miami Dolphins.
In their 47-10 loss to the New Orleans Saints, Taylor completed just nine-of-18 passes for 56 yards and one interception. Peterman completed seven-of-10 attempts for 79 yards and one touchdown in relief of Taylor, who started the first nine games of the season, throwing 10 touchdown passes with just three interceptions. The quarterback change could be a signal that the Bills are set to part ways with Taylor. The Bills restructured Taylor’s contract in March, leaving only $1 million of his 2018 salary guaranteed while he will be entitled to a $6 million roster bonus if he’s in the lineup on the 3rd day of the league year in March, per Tom Pelissero of NFL.com. The 23-year-old Peterman was the Bills fifth-round pick this season.
In his last season at Pitt, Peterman threw for 2,855 yards and 27 touchdown passes, both career highs.
Jets to stick with Josh McCown
Despite a 15-10 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the New York Jets are not thinking of switching quarterbacks, with quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates saying that the team will stick with veteran josh mccown as signal caller.
The 38-year-old McCown completed just 23-of-39 passes for 262 yards and a touchdown with one interception in their loss to the Buccaneers that dropped them to 4-6, 1 ½ games out of the sixth seed in the AFC. McCown’s struggles raised the possibility that young quarterbacks Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg could start in their next game against the Carolina Panthers.
However, Bates rejected the idea, saying the Jets aren’t a “Triple-A” team. Bates said McCown remains as starter and gives the Jets the best opportunity to win against the Panthers. This season, McCown has tallied 2,242 passing yards and 14 touchdowns with just eight picks.
Chargers hope Rivers could return vs Bills
The Chargers are hoping that quarterback Philip Rivers will return from a concussion for their Sunday's clash with the Bills. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network Insider, Rivers is progressing from concussion symptoms, which he sustained in their loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. With a 3-6 mark, the Chargers don’t want to put their playoff fate in the hands of backup quarterback Kellen Clemens.
