It normally wouldn't be surprising to see the top two quarterbacks of a draft face each other as rookies in Week 3, but this isn't a normal rookie class. E.J. Manuel and Geno Smith have found themselves in a position to lead their teams earlier than expected and will face off on Sunday when the Bills travel to New York to take on the Jets.
NFL picks and predictions, Week 3: Bills vs. Jets 2013
In a battle of rookie quarterbacks, the experts around the web are mostly split on who they think will win. Which team has the slight advantage?
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Spor
Though he didn't come off the board until the 16th pick, Manuel was the top quarterback selected in the draft this year. Kevin Kolb was signed by Buffalo and expected to hold the fort down for Manuel until he was ready, but was sidelined in the preseason with a concussion and eventually placed on injured reserve. But Manuel has fared well early, leading the Bills to a near victory over the Patriots in Week 1 and a last-second win over the Panthers in Week 2, as Buffalo sits at a surprising 1-1 record.
Also 1-1 are Smith and the New York Jets. With incumbent starter Mark Sanchez sidelined with a shoulder injury, New York had to go with the rookie, the 39th overall pick in the draft. Though Smith has four interceptions through two games, the Jets top-three defense has them contending against the best in the league: New York held the Pats to 13 points in their Week 2 loss at New England. Can they contain Manuel and the Bills this week?
The experts at CBS Sports are an even split, with four picking the Bills and four picking the Jets. Nine of 14 experts at ESPN like the Bills to win on the road this weekend, while two of three at Yahoo! Sports agree Buffalo will be victorious.
Manuel or Geno? It’s the rookie matchup we like, but that most did not expect so soon.
More from SB Nation NFL:
See More:
