Coming out of the Bills humbling loss to the Patriots in Week Two most players in the locker room after the game were frustrated, ticked off and disappointed. Wide receiver Percy Harvin was uncharacteristically happy. Happy because what he witnessed in the fourth quarter of that game convinced him that the offense would be more effective in the weeks that followed. After two quarters of struggling they had found a rhythm. And while it was a little too late to come back and beat New England, Harvin saw the arrow pointing up for Tyrod Taylor and Buffalo's attack.
Call Harvin a soothsayer, but Taylor went 7-for-9 passing for 142 yards with two touchdowns and a rushing touchdown in that fourth quarter. That's why it was no surprise to him, or anyone else on offense, when Taylor was a perfect 5-for-5 passing on the opening possession to account for all 77 yards on the scoring drive that he finished with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Charles Clay.
"You can just see in his preparation throughout the week," said Clay. "Tyrod is one of those guys who works extremely hard in the weight room, in the meeting room and on the practice field. So there was never any doubt in my mind that he would come out and lead us. When you've got a guy like that who is so calm in the huddle it raises the spirits of everybody."
Through the first three games of his career as a starting quarterback Taylor's production has him among the league leaders in several categories. He currently ranks fifth in the league in passer rating with only quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Andy Dalton, Carson Palmer and Aaron Rodgers ahead of him.
Taylor is fifth in the NFL in completion percentage (74.4%) just ahead of Brady, third in yards per attempt (9.15), third in passing touchdowns (7) and second in touchdown percentage (9%).
"I want to come out and play winning football every time I step on the field," said Taylor. "Of course there are challenges with going on the road, handling the noise, just handling a road game challenge was definitely something we had to face and I think we did a good job of that. There were some things to learn from in this game. We didn't play a perfect game, but we went out there and put some points up."
Taylor led the offense to points on three of their first four possessions. The defense did help with the point total Sunday with Preston Brown's interception return, but Buffalo currently ranks third in the league in scoring.
"He's been outstanding throughout all three games," said Brown of Taylor. "His completion percentage has been outrageous. He's getting the ball out. On third down, they're moving the ball. It's great being a defense when you see the offense put up points."
Perhaps what's most impressive about Taylor's early season production is he's doing it in a brand new scheme for him and everyone else lining up on offense. His time on the field with his play making teammates was also limited in the preseason due to a bunch of injuries and a three-man quarterback competition. But he and his offensive weapons are committed to making up for lost time and his performance thus far has only bolstered the team's confidence in their trigger man.
"Everybody has confidence in him," said head coach Rex Ryan. "This whole football team has confidence in him. The game that he was "terrible" he had like a 95 quarterback rating with three picks so this kid's legit. We know he's legit and when the protection holds up this kid can burn you."
"He's been playing amazing," said FB Jerome Felton. "He keeps doing it. He keeps working hard, and that's what he is—he's a hard worker. It's good to have him as quarterback, we feel really confident in him. The sky is the limit."
Photos of all the action from week 3: Dolphins vs. Bills.
Buffalo Bills tight end Charles Clay (85) evades a tackle by Miami Dolphins cornerback Brice McCain (24) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens , Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) jumps to block a pass by Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. To the right is Buffalo Bills wide receiver Percy Harvin (18) and wide receiver Robert Woods (10)(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) looks to pass under pressure from Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams (95) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Buffalo Bills tight end Charles Clay (85) run away from a tackle by Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Koa Misi (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan is seen on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) runs with the ball during the first half an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) grabs a pass for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Buffalo Bills running back Karlos Williams (29) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Buffalo Bills punter Colton Schmidt (6) returns the ball but is roughed up by the Miami Dolphins during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Bills regain control of the ball. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Percy Harvin (18) runs the ball between Miami Dolphins strong safety Reshad Jones (20) and cornerback Brent Grimes (21) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Miko Grimes, the wife of Grimes, was arrested Sunday after Miami lost to the Buffalo Bills. According to a Miami-Dade Police news release, Grimes was arrested in the parking lot of Sunlife Stadium after the game. Miko Grimes is facing charges that include disorderly conduct, battery on a police officer and resisting arrest with violence. No details were given about what led to the arrest. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Tyrod Taylor, de los Bills de Búfalo, corre con el balón durante el encuentro ante los Dolphins de Miami, el domingo 27 de septiembre de 2015 (AP Foto/Wilfredo Lee)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) hands the ball to Buffalo Bills running back Karlos Williams (29) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 41-14. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan, left, shakes hands with Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin during the end of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 41-14. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey (51) greets Buffalo Bills offensive guard Richie Incognito (64) after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 41-14. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) signs autographs at the end of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 41-14. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Buffalo Bills offensive guard Richie Incognito (64) raises his helmet at the end of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 41-14. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
