Before we pick games and rank the NFL’s powers, it’s always a good idea to look back over the weekend and figure out what we learned.
TYROD TAYLOR BENCHED IN BUFFALO
As much as people wanted to pretend Tyrod Taylor was an NFL quarterback, reality has a way of taking care of silly notions like that. Head coach Sean McDermott made the call to go with rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman after the Buffalo Bills (5-4) were humiliated by the New Orleans Saints, 47-10.
Taylor was sent to the sidelines in that game after completing just 9-of-18 for 56 yards and a pick. He was sacked twice.
“As I continually evaluate our roster and our goal to become better, I’ve decided to start Nate Peterman as our quarterback this week,” McDermott said. “I remain confident in Tyrod Taylor and his ability to help our football team moving forward.”
You’ll be shocked to learn that Taylor, who isn’t very good at quarterback at the NFL level, disagreed with his head coach’s call.
“I don’t agree with the decision, but ultimately Coach McDermott has a vision for this team, what he feels is best for the team, as well as the owners and GM,” Taylor said. “So I have to move forward and continue to be the leader and teammate that I am from a different role.”
As bad as Taylor was against the Saints, Peterman wasn’t a huge improvement. The rookie out of Pitt was 7-of-10 for 79 yards and a touchdown. Still, McDermott knows what he has in Taylor and it’s simply not good enough. Buffalo had a chance to significantly upgrade their quarterback position in last year’s draft, but passed on it. This coming off-season, there are not only draft options at QB, but some serious free agent possibilities as well. They can’t afford to screw around another year.
For now, it’s Peterman’s rodeo. He was a fifth round pick back in April out of the University of Pittsburgh. With the Panthers, Peterman completed 60.5 percent of his passes as a senior for 2,855 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven picks.
“I’ve been impressed with Nate and his maturity as a rookie in a very early point in his career,” McDermott said. “He’s certainly worked hard. When you look at Nate and what he was able to do through OTAs, through training camp, through preseason and then [Sunday], I thought he did some good things, albeit that was a small sample size in a regular-season game. That said, he has a lot of work do, just like we all do. …He’s ready. I wouldn’t make this move if I didn’t feel he was ready.”
The Bills play at the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday at 4:05 p.m. EST.
CASE KEENUM KEEPS THE JOB IN MINNESOTA
Here’s the thing about Case Keenum. I don’t believe for a second this can last. Still, I think the Minnesota Vikings are making the right call in sticking with the journeyman quarterback under center even though former first round pick Teddy Bridgewater is healthy.
Healthy is one thing. Game ready to face the Los Angeles Rams defense this week is another. Keenum has started all but two games for the Vikings (7-2) this season and has had a career performance. He’s completed 64.9 percent of his passes for 1,914 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. When Sam Bradford went down after Week One, Keenum has not only kept the longboat afloat, he’s got Minnesota atop the NFC North and, if the playoffs started today, in possession of the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs.
But he’s still Case Keenum and the wheels are going to fall off sooner rather than later. This Sunday looks like the perfect opportunity for that to happen with Aaron Donald rushing right into his face.
You have to remember, Bridgewater sat out all last season after nearly tearing his leg completely off in practice in the 2016 OTAs. He hasn’t thrown a pass in an NFL game since January 10, 2016 in a 10-9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
Until Keenum has one of those Case Keenum implosions, it’ll stay his job.
EZEKIEL ELLIOTT WILL DROP HIS APPEAL
In the last bit of tragedy to his complete and utter character assassination at the hands of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has decided to drop his appeal and serve out the remaining five games of his suspension.
Elliott’s agents, Rocky Arceneaux and Frank Salzano, released a statement just a few moments ago.
“In consultation with the NFL Players Assocation and his lawyers, and after careful deliberation and review of the recent Second Circuit decisions, Mr. Elliott has decided to forego any further appeals and will serve the remaining suspension,” the statement said. “This decision arises from a practical assessment of the current legal landscape. Mr. Elliott’s desire for closure in this matter is in his best interests, as well as the best interests of his teammates, family and friends. This decision is in no way an admission of any wrongdoing, and Mr. Elliott is pleased that the legal fight mounted by him and his team resulted in the disclosure of many hidden truths regarding this matter, as well public exposure of the NFL’s mismanagement of its disciplinary process. Mr. Elliott will maximize this time away from the game and come back even stronger both on and off the field. He intends to release a final personal statement in the upcoming weeks and until then we have no further comment.”
Elliott will not play again until the Cowboys face off against the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 24. The Cowboys have officially released no comment on Elliott’s decision, but it was likely undertaken so as to not cost Elliott any playoff games if Dallas makes the postseason. Last Sunday’s horrible 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons without Elliott shows that might be an uphill climb.
Elliott started eight games for Dallas this season, rushing 191 times for 783 yards and an NFL-leading seven rushing touchdowns. He caught 19 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns.
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