Browns fans must have been thinking “what else is new” after their team fell 30-9 Sunday at Pittsburgh. The Browns haven’t won at Heinz Field since 2003.
However, in sending the Browns back to Cleveland with a 2-8 record, the Steelers actually could have done them a favor.
With their bend-but-don’t-break defense, the Steelers might have hit the Browns upside the head with the revelation that their decade-and-a-half search for a quarterback might finally be over.
Johnny Manziel completed 33 of 45 passes in the loss for 379 yards, more than double his previous career high, and a touchdown. That performance earned him the starting job for the rest of the season.
Browns will start Johnny Manziel at quarterback for the remainder of the season. (via @FOXSports) pic.twitter.com/94MyLMJnhm
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 17, 2015
There’s no point in the Browns trotting out 36-year-old Josh McCown. They can forget about making the playoffs and their focus should be on the future. They made a first-round draft investment in Manziel last year, but he’s only started five games. If they see what he can do over a six-game sample size, they can decide whether to go forward with Manziel next year or go back to the drawing board and draft another quarterback.
My sense is decision to dedicate remainder of season to Johnny Manziel was made by HC Mike Pettine and supported by GM Ray Farmer — Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) November 17, 2015
Manziel took a big step forward Sunday, even if he was sacked six times and throwing against a defense that allows an average of 278.4 passing yards per game, 27th in the NFL. He showed the mental toughness to overcome a fumble on his first snap. He completed a 61-yard pass to Travis Benjamin on his next series that led to a field goal that tied the game 3-3.
“I was proud of him because he was so effective from the pocket.” McCown on Manziel » https://t.co/tJpM09B8bg pic.twitter.com/KASYIkryS1
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 17, 2015
Trailing 24-3 in the second half, the Browns had a chance to make the game interesting when Manziel moved them to the Steelers’ 1-yard line. An Isaiah Crowell touchdown was nullified by a holding penalty, however, and that was followed by an illegal formation penalty and a sack that yanked the ball back to the 25. The drive ultimately failed when Manziel threw his only interception.
The Browns were penalized for 188 yards Sunday, the most in a single game since the Titans were flagged for 212 yards in 1999 according to Pro Football Reference.
That can’t be blamed on Manziel, and the defense with the fourth-most sacks in the NFL would have sacked him more if he weren’t so mobile in the pocket. He looked like vintage Ben Roethlisberger keeping plays alive. It was entertaining to watch.
Manziel has an opportunity to entertain Browns fans for the rest of the season. Even if wins are hard to come by, he could become the undisputed starting quarterback going into 2016. That’s something the Browns haven’t had in recent years.