Derek Anderson To Start At Quarterback This Week For The Buffalo Bills, Nathan Peterman Set To Be The Backup

By Jordan Long

The Buffalo Bills are set to take on the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, looking to improve their record to 3-4.  The Bills will be without starting quarterback Josh Allan who is week to week with a sprained elbow.  The injury occurred late in the 3^rd quarter last week  against the Houston Texans.  With him sidelined, Derek Anderson will take his place in the lineup over Nathan Peterman.

                Peterman thought he would be the starter.  The Bills saw what life was like with him.  Peterman appeared in 2 games this season.  He can’t read the defenses or find his open receivers.  Peterman chucks the football to the receiver who is covered and those throws are usually picked off.  His line isn’t protecting him and Peterman is running for his life, forcing him to heave the football sooner than he wants to.  The Bills have allowed 3 sacks on him.  For his struggles Peterman has thrown for 85 yards and 1 touchdown but has been picked off 4 times.

                The Bills haven’t liked what they have seen from Peterman.  They can’t trust him and decided Derek Anderson gives them the best chance to win.  According to ESPN, Head Coach Sean McDermott said, “That’s always part of the evaluation.  But one piece, not every piece of it. I feel like this is the right decision for our football team right now.”

                Anderson is in his 13^th NFL season and has played in 76 games throughout his career.  He has more experience than Peterman who is in his 2^nd year. 

Anderson hasn’t started a game since 2016 when he was with the Carolina Panthers.  That season he went 0-2 with 453 passing yards,  2 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.  In his career Anderson passed for 10,413 yards and 60 touchdowns.  His problem is turnovers.  He takes chances throwing the football into coverage which have equaled 60 interceptions.

                The Bills are optimistic Anderson will be able to move the chains for 1^st downs and control the football.  He can’t take shots down the field if the receiver is covered.  If he does, those could be interceptions and a chance for the Colts to take advantage.   The Bills are hoping that Anderson can lead this team to victory.  If not, it could be back to the drawing board for a backup quarterback.