Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘The Chargers won the last meeting 22-10 in 2014 in Buffalo, and have won four of the last five games between the teams.’

‘Now, let’s be clear: Dennison could have called a perfect game, the offense could have rolled up big numbers, and it probably wouldn’t have mattered because the Bills’ defense could not stop the Saints and New Orleans still would have won. But the offense’s repetitive failure gave Buffalo zero hope.’

‘Give this to McDermott: This is his team, he’s calling the shots, and no matter how big or small the issue, he owns it.’

‘“It was pretty emotional, a dream come true to get this opportunity,” Peterman said Wednesday following his first practice as the man in charge of the sagging Buffalo offense formerly guided by Tyrod Taylor. “It’s certainly not done though, at all. Now I have to go work to earn it. It’s only an opportunity, just one step, and I have to keep working.”’

‘But give Taylor his props for being a professional because he certainly didn’t have to stand up and answer any questions about a decision he did not make, a decision he clearly does not agree with, yet the now former starter did so Wednesday morning.’

‘Wednesday’s announcement that Taylor has indeed been benched in favor of Peterman for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers was shocking only for its timing. If you’ve been paying attention to the Bills the last 2½ seasons, McDermott sitting his veteran quarterback with 38 starts and putting his team’s playoff hopes in the hands of a rookie with zero isn’t as big a risk as it seems.’

‘The Bills have struggled to find stability at the position ever since and coach Sean McDermott’s surprising announcement that rookie Nathan Peterman will start Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers brings the running total of starting quarterbacks since Kelly to an almost unfathomable 17 (even though Matt Cassel shouldn’t really count).’

‘After the Blossom Road Pub announced the event, the pub got a message from Lambright’s attorney telling him that Nye had not been dealing with Lambright, but rather a person not authorized to act on Lambright’s behalf.’

‘ “Now that that’s been on tape from a run defense standpoint, that’s what people are going to do (against us). They’re going to test our run defense,’’ he said. “(We) have to do a much better job when it comes to gap integrity along with being able to shed blocks, get off blocks and then tackle. We have our work cut out for us. It’s almost like a training camp mentality when it comes to what we have to do to get it fixed.’’’

‘Let’s not forget, as ridiculous as it may be to consider the possibility given what we all saw Sunday, the 5-4 Bills remain right in the thick of the AFC playoff picture. Their task to stay in it is difficult the next three weeks with road games at the Chargers and Chiefs and a home date with the Patriots, but the math says Buffalo has almost a 50 percent chance to qualify for the postseason.’

‘ The Bills are now full monty, exposed for what they are nine games into the Brandon Beane/Sean McDermott Era: an average team headed for an average record, and maybe worse, if something doesn’t change drastically.’

‘A second person was also arrested for jumping onto the field. Aric Belling, 19 of Clarence, was charged with criminal trespass. He was released on an appearance ticket.’

‘This isn’t a playoff team, and kudos to those who weren’t fooled by the 5-2 start that was accomplished against a schedule which, going into Week 10, contained just one team currently with a winning record (Carolina).’

‘As we said last week, the loss to the Jets feels like the turning point in this season. Two months from now when the NFL playoffs begin, it seems to me we’re going to be looking back on that loss as the one that short-circuited what seemed like a promising year, the one that enabled the drought to reach its voting age birthday.’

‘Tyrod Taylor was terrible, one of his worst games as a Bill. He completed 9 of 18 passes for 56 yards and had a 33.6 QB rating. Taylor was picked off once, though it wasn’t his fault as the ball went through Charles Clay’s hands and right to New Orleans’ Sheldon Rankins. Taylor had Clay back, and WR Kelvin Benjamin for the first time, and failed to utilize them. He completed his first attempt to Benjamin, and never another; his only two receptions came courtesy of Nathan Peterman. Clay had two catches for 13 yards. So much for the infusion on offense. Peterman led the only TD drive and threw his first NFL scoring pass when the game was long decided. No, he’s not the new starter.’