Nathan Peterman needs to start week one for the Buffalo Bills and has proven himself through the course of the preseason.
Peterman faced stiff competition with veteran free agent pick-up A.J. McCarron and first-round pick Josh Allen. All quarterbacks were up and down in training camp, but Peterman’s performance in exhibition games was head and shoulders above his competition.
Peterman played exceptionally well in three preseason appearances. He was decisive, accurate, and showed poise in the pocket. He’s a natural thrower with a decent arm. He sees the field well and displays touch on his passes.
The former fifth-round pick has shown much more confidence and decisiveness than a season ago. What’s more impressive is his ability to rebound after a nasty rookie season which saw him throw five interceptions and post a 38.4 passer rating in only four games.
While the Bills have yet to name their week one starter, it’s clear that Peterman has done everything to win the job.
Nathan Peterman Needs to Start for the Buffalo Bills
The Dark Horse of the Competition
The second-year signal-caller entered the off-season as an afterthought in the Bills quarterback competition. The Bills signed McCarron to a two-year, $10 million deal in March, and then made Allen the highest-drafted quarterback in team history a month later.
McCarron was considered to be the favorite heading into training camp and showed proficiency as a game-manager in spot duty with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2014 to 2017. The Alabama product has an underwhelming arm but relies on rhythm and anticipation to move the football.
The Bills traded up in the draft to get to pick seven, where they selected Allen out of Wyoming. He has a cannon for an arm and is a formidable rusher. The hype was high for Allen heading into the preseason and he looked poised to make an impression.
Peterman was seemingly the odd man out, but he impressed in off-season work and had a good handle of offensive coordinator Brian Daboll‘s offense.
Preseason Play Was Best of the Three
Peterman was the first of the three to start in the preseason and did not disappoint. He went 9/10 for 118 yards, a touchdown, and an interception against the starting Carolina Panthers defense. His command of the offense was evident and showed off accurate, tight-window throws.
He followed that up with working with the third-team offense in week two of the preseason in a victory over the Cleveland Browns. Peterman completed eight of 10 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. His performance was overshadowed however by the promising play of rookie Allen, who led the second unit on an impressive drive that ended in a touchdown toss to receiver Rod Streater. McCarron started the game but was ineffective and injured his shoulder during the game.
Allen was announced as the Bills starter heading into Sunday’s dress-rehearsal against the Bengals. He performed poorly with his first game experience against a starting NFL defense, completing six of his 12 passes for 34 yards. The rookie had poor protection from his offensive line and had little time to process the speed difference between NFL starters and the future gym teachers of America. It was clear that Allen needs time to develop before being thrown to the wolves behind that offensive line. Peterman entered the game for the second half and performed well, throwing for 200 yards and a touchdown.
Statistically speaking, Peterman has blown Allen and McCarron out of the water.
Stats thru 3 preseason games. #Bills QBs
Allen- 24-44 (54.5%), 210 yds, yds/att 4.8, 2 TDs, sacked 7, rating 82.6.
McCarron- 10-16 (62.5%) 128 yds, yds/att 8.0, 0 TDs, sacked 2, rating 87.5
Peterman- 33-42 (80.5%) 431 yds, yds/att 10.5, 3 TDs, 1 Int, sacked 2, rating 124.7.— Chris Brown (@ChrisBrownBills) August 27, 2018
Mixed Results From Allen and McCarron
McCarron returned to practice but has not been consistent during camp or the preseason. He’s displayed a nice ability to climb the pocket and make anticipatory throws but has not run away with the competition as hoped. McCarron looked overwhelmed against the Browns starters in week two and doesn’t have the mobility to get out of the pocket and make plays when pressured.
Allen has been wild so far, as we’ve seen unbelievable throws in camp followed up with bad misses. In exhibition games, Allen has reigned in his tendency to make bad decisions when trying to extend plays. This worked well for him against the Browns after completing 69.2 percent of his passes. When he has a lot of time, he can make the correct read and keep the chains moving. If he faces pressure, the rookie falls into bad habits.
In his start against the Bengals, Allen was sacked five times and faced pressure on the majority of his dropbacks. Allen had trouble making decisions and froze on a few occasions that he had decent protection. There were also a few instances of him not putting the correct amount of strength on his passes. He escaped pressure nicely but severely underthrew tight end Charles Clay streaking down the sideline by not setting his feet. He then rocketed a pass over Kelvin Benjamin that could have converted a third-and-long.
Allen has the most physical talent of the bunch by far but is more of a passer than a quarterback at this stage. He’ll need the game to slow down before he has to play and perform behind the Bills’ porous offensive line.
Peterman Is the Most Ready to Lead the Offense
Despite the favorability of McCarron and the potential of Allen, Peterman has shown a mastery of Daboll’s new offense.
He’s performed exceptionally well all without the help of All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy, who hasn’t taken any preseason snaps. The offense has a good chance to get the ball rolling upon the return of McCoy.
Peterman has command of the offense and has shown nice awareness to escape the rush. He has a nice rapport with number one receiver Kelvin Benjamin and could continue to impress into the regular season. While it’s unlikely that he will keep up this thundering pace, Peterman has shown enough to warrant being named the starter.
That’s not to say he’ll keep the job for the entire 2018 season. Allen repeatedly flashed his great potential with the second and third team offenses, and that could eventually put him under center if the Bills struggle offensively.
Still, Peterman is the readiest to take on the challenge of playing without a ton of weapons on offense. He’s taken the next step from a poor rookie season and has looked much more comfortable and confident.
