Bills reverse course in having Taylor start against Chiefs

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott reversed course. Tyrod Taylor will start at Kansas City on Sunday, a week after McDermott’s decision to start rookie Nathan Peterman backfired.

McDermott on Wednesday called his decision to return to Taylor “the right thing for our team,” after Peterman threw five interceptions in a 54-24 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers last week.

Taylor, who is 20-18 in 2½ seasons in Buffalo, was benched after going 9 of 18 for 56 yards through 55 minutes in a 47-10 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 12.

Peterman is a fifth-round pick out of Pittsburgh who became the first quarterback to throw five interceptions in the first half since the AFLNFL merger in 1970. He finished 6 of 14 for 66 yards and was replaced by Taylor to start the third quarter with Buffalo trailing 40-7.

Taylor mopped up by going 15 of 25 for 158 yards, with a touchdown and a lost fumble. He also scored on a 2-yard run.

The Bills (5-5) have lost three straight.

McDermott waited until Wednesday to announce his decision after saying he was still evaluating his options on Monday.

The first-year coach faced heavy criticism over the past week for making what he called “a calculated risk” in going with an unproven rookie at a time the Bills held the AFC’s sixth and final playoff spot.