Desperate Bills change quarterbacks

Rather than continue watching a pedestrian offense muddle through a third consecutive game, Bills coach Sean McDermott sent his team a jolt by making an abrupt change at quarterback.

Tyrod Taylor was benched yesterday and rookie fifth-round pick Nathan Peterman will make his first career start on Sunday, when Buffalo plays at the Chargers.

McDermott acknowledged taking a “calculated risk” in making the switch at a time when the Bills have a winning record (5-4). They sit sixth in the AFC standings, and control their own destiny in a bid to end a 17-season playoff drought, the longest active streak in North America’s four major professional sports.

“This is about becoming better as a football team,” he said. “As a decision maker, you have to be able to or willing to take calculated risks to get to where we’re trying to go. And I’m comfortable doing that.”

As for the Bills record, the firstyear coach said his objective isn’t being a winner in November.

“It is and will be for the time that I’m here be about becoming the best team we can possibly become,” McDermott said. “We are made for more than 5-4. And I’ve come here to be more than 5-4.”

Elliott drops appeal

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has dropped his appeal with five games remaining on his six-game suspension over alleged domestic violence.

Elliott’s agents said the decision by last year’s NFL rushing leader “is in no way an admission of wrongdoing.” They said Elliott’s decision came from “a practical assessment of the current legal landscape.”

Elliott had a hearing set in a federal appeals court on Dec. 1, four games into the suspension.

He served the first game in Dallas’ 27-7 loss to Atlanta last weekend. By accepting the six games, Elliott is eligible to return for the final two games: Dec. 24 at home against Seattle and Dec. 31 at Philadelphia.

Jones feud escalates

The Associated Press has obtained a letter sent to Jerry Jones’ attorney accusing the Dallas Cowboys owner of “conduct detrimental to the league’s best interests” over his objection to a contract extension for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

The letter accusing Jones of sabotaging the negotiations was sent to David Boies yesterday. Jones hired Boies and threatened to sue the NFL if Goodell’s contract extension was approved by the compensation committee, made up of six owners. All 32 owners voted unanimously in May to let the committee finalize a deal with Goodell.

The letter, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, was written by outside counsel for the compensation committee and given to the AP.

Rivers practices

Philip Rivers is practicing with the Chargers, and coach Anthony Lynn is optimistic the veteran quarterback will play Sunday.

Rivers reported symptoms of a possible concussion Monday, but he participated in certain parts of a non-padded practice yesterday. . . .

Quarterback Drew Stanton practiced on a limited basis and still hopes to play when the Arizona Cardinals meet the Texans in Houston on Sunday.