By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
On Tuesday evening, the Buffalo Bills made a surprise announcement by naming rookie quarterback Josh Allen their starter for the team’s third preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
The excitement in the fan base was noticeable on social media, but Sean McDermott’s decision could mean many things … or it could mean little.
With that, here are five thoughts on the Bills’ decision to start Allen on Sunday:
Quarterbacks Nathan Peterman and AJ McCarron started the team’s first and second preseason games, respectively. McDermott could play off Sunday’s start for Allen simply as it being the rookie’s turn. Nothing more than that. It’s seemed Peterman and McCarron have had a leg up (or at least Peterman) on Allen based on their starts and the reps during training camp. But McDermott has constantly said he’s sticking to a “plan” with Allen and his QBs. If Sunday is simply just the rotation, it would make sense to put the rookie in for the third and final game of that “rotation.”
Sunday rotation
Tuesday’s announcement simply stated that Allen would start. It didn’t indicate how much he’d play. It didn’t indicate if Peterman would play with the first-team offense. It didn’t indicate if McCarron, who had his shoulder injury blown out of proportion, would play in the game. Typically, the third preseason game is a “dress rehearsal” for NFL teams. Translation: Their starters will play into the second half, probably. Assuming McCarron doesn’t play, maybe Allen will see time with the starters into the second quarter, and then Peterman will take over, also playing with the starting offense.
Interesting announcement
Prior to Peterman’s and McCarron’s starts, the Bills did not make an announcement. No one knew who the starter was until a short time before kickoff. McDermott, being the calculated person he refers to himself as, might have announced Allen as the starter so the rookie can get a feel for a regular season week as a starting QB in the NFL. Peterman and McCarron both already have experience doing so. McDermott brought back the team’s “Blue and Red practice” at New Era Field, and his reasoning is exactly that. He wanted new players and coaches to get the lay of the land in Orchard Park prior to their first preseason game, so they can simply focus on football that day and not where to park.
The case for
As previously mentioned, it could bode well for Allen potentially starting for the Bills on opening day because the third preseason game is dubbed as the dress rehearsal. Regardless, Allen will have to perform against the Bengals. Pro Football Focus gave Allen an adjusted completion percentage of 72.4 percent for his first two preseason games. Playing with third-stringers against the Panthers, Allen looked OK and looked better against the Browns on Friday, playing with the twos and starters a bit. To be convinced of Allen’s ability to start and perform, Allen will need to look more like Cleveland Josh than Carolina Josh, for me. If he can keep his completion percentage up, continue not to make mistakes, and lead another three scoring drives, sign me up for Allen.
The cast against
Allen’s looked great, but so has Peterman. It’s only a couple of preseason games and Allen is the long-term answer, don’t get me wrong. But so far, Peterman’s PFF adjusted completion percentage is at 90 percent, which is fifth-best in the NFL in that metric. Peterman’s arm isn’t Allen’s and he’s more prone to interceptions because of that. It might sound like a loser’s mentality, but giving Allen a few more weeks to settle in during the regular season and inserting him if Peterman – or even McCarron – struggles is a lot better of a feeling compared to Allen struggling and being pulled. In fact, if you go with Allen, there’s no turning back. Five of Buffalo’s first seven games are on the road, which is also worrisome with a rookie. That is, unless Peterman’s strong start to the preseason goes downhill against the Bengals. That’d turn things on its head.
And let’s not get things confused, LeSean McCoy will get plenty of touches in September, it’s still likely his show during the regular season, regardless of QB.