The Buffalo Bills pulled out their first win of the season on Sunday in exciting fashion, as rookie quarterback EJ Manuel threw the winning touchdown pass to Stevie Johnson and now the first year player will face off against the only other rookie starting quarterback on Sunday in Geno Smith.
Smith and Manuel are the only two rookie quarterbacks in the league after Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Russell Wilson and Ryan Tannehill started last year and both currently have 1-1 records through two games. The Jets were able to get past the Buccaneers in Week 1 on a last second field goal, while the team lost to the Patriots on Thursday night football after a bad game from Smith.
Manuel was solid in both games and the team lost on a last second field goal against the Patriots in Week 1 before defeating the Panthers at the last second in Week 2. The two players will have the chance to face off again later in the season if both are still starting and this could be the first of many battles for the two rookies going forward. Manuel was the only quarterback taken in the first round and he is getting his chance to start after Kevin Kolb was injured in the preseason and he helped deliver the first win for head coach Doug Marrone.
Manuel threw for nearly 300 yards in the win against the Panthers on Sunday and he looked poised when things broke down around him, as he was able to hit a wide open Stevie Johnson for the winning touchdown with just seconds left. Manuel and Cam Newton has been compared due to their similar size and Manuel bested the former number one pick on Sunday in the 24-23 win. Manuel has passed for three touchdowns and one pick through two games and Marrone is confident he can handle the Jets.
Smith has not been as successful, but the Jets have liked what they have seen from the rookie, who has been through a tough situation with the way the Jets like to handle their quarterbacks. Smith had to deal with the Mark Sanchez competition and then he was thrown into the fire after he was injured. Smith threw three picks against the Patriots and has four on the season and now he will get the chance to play the Bills.
