ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- So much for "quarterback purgatory."

The phrase that general manager Doug Whaley used to describe the Buffalo Bills' quarterback situation to head-coaching candidates in January might still apply to the team's long-term outlook at the position, but after a better-than-expected preseason, coach Rex Ryan couldn't be more pleased with his short-term outlook at quarterback.

"This is the ideal situation we had talked about," Ryan said after Saturday's victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. "This is exactly what I wanted, where all three guys played to their abilities. That's all I was hoping for. I had confidence in all three of them and they did a tremendous job."

The Bills now must choose between three quarterbacks who all proved this August that they deserve a shot at the job.

Should it be Matt Cassel, the steady veteran who led the offense for just four drives this preseason but missed only two of his 15 passes? Or Tyrod Taylor, the speedy former backup who looks polished and controlled as a passer?

Or will EJ Manuel -- who had a perfect 158.3 passer rating in Saturday's game -- cap off a comeback and reclaim his title as the Bills' starter?

Whichever direction Ryan and his staff lean when they make a decision Sunday, here's the stat to consider: zero, which is how many interceptions Manuel, Cassel and Taylor threw this preseason.

If the Bills' goal is to win games this season by protecting the ball on offense and smothering opponents with their defense, then there couldn't have been a better result from that trio this preseason. The quarterbacks were nearly mistake-free.