BUFFALO – The much-anticipated debut of Cleveland Browns (7-5) rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel got off to a less than stellar start in a 26-10 road loss to the Buffalo Bills (7-5).
GOOD – In his first series as a pro, Johnny Manziel completed 3-of-4 passes for 54 yards and scrambled for a 11-yard touchdown run, to give a struggling Cleveland offense it’s first touchdown. For the game, Manziel finished 5-of-8 for 63 yards passing and 13 yards rushing on two carries. Wide receiver Miles Austin caught seven passes for 86 yards and Josh Gordon caught seven passes for 75 yards.
Defensive backs Jim Leonard and Joe Haden each recorded an interception
One week after having to play in Detroit due to excessive snow, Buffalo’s vaunted pass rush sacked starting quarterback Brian Hoyer twice, picked him off twice and forced a fumble on a rush by Terrance West that would be recovered by Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes, who would return it 18 yards for the touchdown to give the Bills a 14-3 lead.
BAD – The overall lack of creativity and explosive big plays for the Browns as they averaged a meager 4.8 yards per play and racked up 315 total yards on offense. The lack of a consistent running game hurt Cleveland as they managed 74 yards rushing on the ground.
UGLY – Sacked two times by the Bills, Brian Hoyer appears to be regressing as he threw his fourth and fifth interception—both to Bills strong safety Da’Norris Srarcy—in his last two games and zero touchdowns and a QB rating of 51.0. For the game, Hoyer finished 18-of-30 for 192 yards and two interceptions.
Already minus Pro Bowl tight end Jordan Cameron, Gary Barnidge suffered a rib injury and never return. With a chance to go up 6-0, kick Billy Cundiff missed a 36-yard field goal in the first half.
Much like the off-season and even now going forward, look for another QB controversy to be the hot topic in Cleveland all week long before their encounter with the AFC South-leading Indianapolis Colts.
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