How many people predicted that Thad Lewis would be the starting quarterback for the Bills entering week six? About as many people who thought Fred Jackson would lead the team in rushing over pro-bowler C.J. Spiller.
Photo by: Derek Zeller
Nevertheless, Sunday’s game against the Bengals rests in the hands of the undrafted free agent under center.
Lewis will be making his second career NFL start, his first with Buffalo. His previous start came as a loss in 2012 as a member of the Cleveland Browns. In a hostile Pittsburgh environment, Lewis went 22 of 32 for 204 yards with one touchdown and one interception.Lewis is optimistic of his ability entering a matchup featuring the Bengals eighth ranked defense.
“No nerves at all. I’ve done it before but I’m still playing football, it’s not like anything changed. I’m doing the same thing I was doing; I am just able to play this Sunday” Lewis told reporters Monday.
The Bills acquired Lewis in a trade during the preseason with the Lions on the same day they signed Matt Leinart to fill the void Kevin Kolb left as the backup quarterback. Leinart was cut from the team five days later after going a lousy 3 of 10 for just 11 passing yards that included two interceptions.
Lewis was placed on the practice squad and has been there until being called up to the first team earlier this week. That is quite the increase of workload in a very short amount of time.
Photo by Ed Runyon
Head coach Doug Marrone is confident as well in his newly named starting quarterback. “If he can continue on during the week, then he’ll continue to get better and better, he looked good today,” Marrone said Wednesday.
As you may of guessed, Lewis is very excited at the chance he has been given. “Very excited. Any time you get an opportunity to start in the NFL, it’s exciting. It’s a childhood dream and a blessing. A lot of people wish they can do that, so I have the opportunities too,” Lewis said.
“Talking to the doctors they’re not ready to tell me a timetable (On EJ Manuel’s injury,” Marrone said. The Bills will roll with Lewis as their starter for the immediate future, as there is no timetable for Manuel’s return yet.
Although the Bills season hasn’t gone according to plan, there are a few bright spots entering Sunday. Pro bowl safety Jairus Byrd will see the field for the first time this season after returning from a holdout that lasted most of the preseason and from plantar fasciitis.
There has also been trade rumors revolving around the free safety recently.
Bills know wisest course of action is to trade franchise S Jairus Byrd and they now are open to dealing him, per sources. Talks ongoing.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 6, 2013
When asked if he will be ready to compete after missing several months worth of time Byrd responded by saying:
“Mentally that’s over, that’s over with. We just gotta win games now, it’s all about winning games. I just wanna help the team win…in my four years here I’ve been through some tough times. So, I’m on board, I just want to win,” Byrd told reporters Wednesday.
Prediction
The Bills are coming off a rough loss against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football, where both teams lost their starting quarterbacks to injury (EJ Manuel and Brian Hoyer). Incumbent quarterback Jeff Tuel was unable to replace the injured Manuel successfully, and threw a costly pick-six in the fourth quarter. Tuel’s shaky play forced the hand of head coach Marrone, who called upon his practice squad to step up.
Cincinnati enters the sixth week of the season on a high note after knocking off the undefeated Patriots and prevented Tom Brady from throwing a touchdown pass for the first time in 52 weeks. The 3-2 Bengals held the Patriots from scoring a touchdown in the entire game, including four consecutive stops starting on 1st and Goal late in the fourth quarter.
With starting quarterback EJ Manuel sidelined the Bengals defense is too strong for Thad Lewis too handle. It’s hard too say for sure with only one NFL game under his belt, but the Bengals defense just baffled Tom Brady. No offense Mr. Lewis, but the Bengals will take advantage of the newbie quarterback and win the game 21-9.
Bills Photos by Derek Zeller
Bengals Photo by Ed Runyon
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