The Buffalo Bills made a bold choice this week to demote Tyrod Taylor in favor of rookie passer Nathan Peterman. On Sunday, that decision went terribly wrong.
Taylor returned under center early in the third quarter -- with Buffalo trailing 40-10 -- following a first half that saw Peterman toss an ungodly five interceptions in his NFL debut.
"It wasn't what he or we hoped for, but young players experience things like this," Bills coach Sean McDermott said after the 54-24 loss, per the team's site. "I don't regret my decision. I regret the result. ... This is in part about winning now and in part about winning in the future."
McDermott added he would evaluate this week who will start under center Week 12.
Peterman's tornado of giveaways came over just 14 attempts, joining Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ty Detmer and Drew Bledsoe as the only four signal-callers to throw five interceptions in a single half since 1991.
Peterman's first-half giveaway came on pass that deflected off fullback Patrick DiMarco into the arms of Korey Toomer, who returned the ball 59 yards for the pick-six. The rookie's next four interceptions -- two to safety Casey Hayward and one apiece to Tre Boston and Trevor Williams -- were the result of errant lobs into coverage with pass-rusher Joey Bosa causing plenty of havoc along the way.
Taylor couldn't save the day. The midweek benching of Taylor is certain to generate criticism all week long, both inside and outside team walls.
