AFC East Roundup: QB updates following Week 1 of preseason

Week 1 was important for the QBs in the division.

Like the rest of the NFL, the AFC East teams were able to hit the field for their first preseason games this past weekend. For most of the division, it was the first time the starting quarterbacks faced live game action. Meanwhile for Buffalo, the team got to see how its quarterback situation looks behind Josh Allen.

The Buffalo Bills were able to pull off a last-second victory against the Detroit Lions thanks to a late filed goal drive led by second-year QB Jake Fromm. Since the 2020 season was anything but normal and Fromm was designated the Bills’ emergency quarterback all last season, last Friday’s snaps were his first in the NFL. While Michell Trubisky only attempted two passes, he appeared poised in directing the offense in his short time on the field. Davis Webb III also managed to play his first game snaps as a Buffalo Bill, and he took full advantage of the chance while showing that he can capably run the offense. For the first time in a long time it seems as though Buffalo has a complete quarterback room. If Allen ever goes down with an injury, Trubisky is more than capable to step right in and keep the team competitive.

The New England Patriots started Cam Newton against the Washington Football Team, but he didn’t play much—attempting only seven passes. Instead, it was Mac Jones who did the majority of the work, though passing for only 87 yards on 13 completions. Newton and Jones should continue battling all preseason long to determine who starts Week 1. It was actually the running game that stole the show in this game as Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns on only ten carries.

New York Jets fans were rightfully intrigued with how Zach Wilson would look after suffering early struggles in training camp. Thankfully for them, Wilson had an efficient but brief outing—finishing 6/9 for 63 yards. Head coach Robert Saleh said things would get worse for Wilson before they got better, expecting growing pains for the second overall pick. However, Wilson looked decent and will be a player to watch as the preseason advances.

The pressure is on Miami Dolphins second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to prove the team was smart to pick him in the first round of last year’s draft. After a shaky rookie season Tua is out for revenge and he had an effective first outing to start the season. He finished 8/11 for 99 yards. The big mistake in the outing was an interception in the end zone that prevented the Dolphins from getting points on the board. With no Ryan Fitzpatrick to save the day this year, it will be up to Tua to try and get Miami back into the playoffs.