Bills quarterback Nathan Peterman was a problem Sunday afternoon, and that is not news.
Just about every time he has taken the field in a Buffalo uniform, Peterman has put forth subpar performances that have hindered the Bills’ chances of winning.
In Sunday’s 41-9 loss to the Bears at New Era Field, Peterman finished a start for the first time in four career tries but established another record of futility.
He completed 31 passes for just 189 yards, the lowest number of yards in league history for a quarterback who completed at least 30 passes. With 49 throws, Peterman’s average per attempt was 3.85 yards. For context, the lowest-ranked qualifying passer in the NFL (teammate Josh Allen) is averaging 5.99 yards per attempt on the season.
Yet after the game, coach Sean McDermott, when asked if he felt Peterman was a viable NFL quarterback, replied, “I believe he is.”
At some point, McDermott and the Bills are going to reexamine that answer. Peterman threw three more interceptions in this game, and while two were not his fault, they go on his ledger which now includes 13 picks and an interception rate of an astonishing 9.5 percent. Incredibly, in throwing three against the Bears, that figure actually dipped down from 11.1.
“I don’t feel snake-bitten,” he said. “I never feel like I’m a victim or anything like that. It’s football. It’s life. Things don’t always bounce your way. I mean that ball’s not round, it bounces all different ways. So, you just have to be able to take it how it comes and learn from it.”
Many quarterbacks would have crumbled emotionally by this point, but Peterman continues to be philosophical about the awful start to his NFL career and hoping that better days will be ahead.
In truth, while Peterman didn’t come close to playing well enough to engineer an upset, the loss could not be pinned solely on him.
Buffalo’s offensive line has played progressively worse as the season has churned on. Against the Bears, McDermott took to rotating players at right tackle (Jordan Mills and Jeremiah Sirles) and left guard (Vlad Ducasse and Wyatt Teller) in what amounted to preseason mode.
“It’s always open in terms of trying to find the right combination,” said McDermott. “I want the best 11 on the field, whether it’s offensive line, defensive line, you name it. We’re going to find the best 11.”
As for the wide receivers, the group thought it was getting an infusion with the signing of Terrelle Pryor. Despite just three practices, he got the start when the Bills opened in a three-wide set and played 75 snaps, yet he caught just two passes for 17 yards and had one pass go through his hands for an interception.
And then there’s the running game, once Buffalo’s primary mode of attack. LeSean McCoy has gained 24 yards on his last 24 carries. Because the line can’t get any push, and no opposing defense fears Buffalo’s aerial game, McCoy has been overwhelmed by defenders and has now taken to sulking and not facing the media.
“We do have wins, although they’re not always on the scoreboard … in the midst of a game, I saw some things yesterday that is the Buffalo Bills style of football we want to play,” McDermott said, putting his best spin on a bad day.
–QB Nathan Peterman completed 31 of 49 passes for just 189 yards with three interceptions, a passer rating of 45.4. He also ran eight times for 46 yards and a TD which led the team.
–RB LeSean McCoy gained 10 yards on 10 carries Sunday and that gave him 24 yards in his last 24 attempts spanning three weeks.
–WR Terrelle Pryor made his Bills debut and caught only two passes for 17 yards and had one ball go off his hands which resulted in an interception.
–RB Chris Ivory had 36 yards on seven carries before leaving the game late in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury.
–LB Tremaine Edmunds was inactive due to the concussion he suffered the previous week against the Patriots.
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