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NFL notes: Broncos starting Paxton Lynch at quarterback while Bills go back to Tyrod Taylor

Broncos reserve quarterback Paxton Lynch scrambles away from pressure against the Buccaneers earlier this season.
(Jason Behnken / Associated Press)
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Coach Vance Joseph handed Denver’s starting quarterback job to Paxton Lynch on Wednesday, elevating the former first-round pick who failed to win the job outright under two different coaching staffs but gets another chance because of Denver’s tailspin .

Meanwhile, Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott reversed course. Tyrod Taylor will start at Kansas City on Sunday, a week after McDermott’s decision to start rookie Nathan Peterman backfired.

The Broncos (3-7) have lost six in a row and Joseph replaced offensive coordinator Mike McCoy on Monday with Bill Musgrave , who helped guide Derek Carr in Oakland the last two seasons.

The Broncos visit the Raiders (4-6), another underachieving team that had a staff shake-up this week, replacing Ken Norton Jr. with John Pagano as defensive coordinator Tuesday.

In Denver, Joseph instructed Musgrave to simplify the complex offense McCoy had installed and stubbornly stuck with despite a lack of depth at receiver and tight end and a porous line that crimped the passing game whether Trevor Siemian or Brock Osweiler was at quarterback.

Siemian handily won the drawn-out QB competition over Lynch for a second time this summer but a dozen turnovers left him benched after seven games.

The Broncos turned to Osweiler, Peyton Manning’s former longtime backup, but he went 0-3.

McDermott on Wednesday called his decision to return to Taylor “the right thing for our team,” after Peterman had five passes intercepted in a 54-24 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers last week.

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Taylor, who is 20-18 in 2{ seasons in Buffalo, was benched after going 9 of 18 for 56 yards through 55 minutes in a 47-10 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 12.

Peterman is a fifth-round pick out of Pittsburgh who became the first quarterback to throw five interceptions in the first half since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. He finished 6 of 14 for 66 yards and was replaced by Taylor to start the third quarter with Buffalo trailing 40-7.

Taylor mopped up by going 15 of 25 for 158 yards, with a touchdown and a lost fumble. He also scored on a 2-yard run.

The Bills (5-5) have lost three straight.

Chiefs sign Revis

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed veteran cornerback Darrelle Revis in their latest attempt to shore up their porous defensive backfield, though it is unclear when he’ll be ready to play. The Chiefs announced the signing Wednesday, four days before they face the Buffalo Bills.

Revis, a seven-tme Pro Bowl player, had been a free agent after playing for the New York Jets last season. The Chiefs head back to the Meadowlands to face the Jets on Dec. 3.

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The Chiefs have tried Terrence Mitchell, Kenneth Acker, Steven Nelson and Phillip Gaines at the cornerback spot opposite Marcus Peters this season.

Injury updates

Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman remains on concussion protocol, threatening his status for Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay. Tevin Coleman would again start against the Buccaneers if Freeman can’t return. Freeman, punter Matt Bosher (left ankle) and offensive lineman Ty Sambrailo (hamstring strain) were held out of Wednesday’s practice. … Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler remains in the concussion protocol and is not practicing Wednesday, but he hasn’t yet been ruled out of Sunday’s game at New England. Coach Adam Gase says he’s taking the quarterback situation day to day. Matt Moore would make his second start of the season if Cutler doesn’t play. …

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady sat out practice Wednesday with what the team says is an Achilles tendon injury. Brady has started all 10 games this season for New England. He also has yet to miss a game because of an injury since 2008 when he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opening game. The 40-year-old has thrown for 3,146 yards, 22 touchdowns and just two interceptions this season. Tight end Rob Gronkowski (illness), receiver Chris Hogan (shoulder), center David Andrews (illness), offensive lineman Marcus Cannon (ankle), and safety Patrick Chung (ankle) also missed practice on Wednesday. AFC East-leading New England has won six games in a row and hosts Miami on Sunday.

Defensive lineman Terrell McClain, center Chase Roullier and safety Montae Nicholson will miss the Washington Redskins’ game against the New York Giants. Coach Jay Gruden announced Wednesday that those players were ruled out for Thursday night’s game. … New York Giants right guard D.J. Fluker is going to miss the Thanksgiving game against the Redskins. The Giants also announced that tackle Justin Pugh (back) and middle linebacker B.J. Goodson (ankle) also will miss the game. … The Houston Texans have placed rookie RB D’Onta Foreman on injured reserve and claimed veteran RB Andre Ellington off waivers from Arizona.

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