Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns
Alas, the Johnny Football Era has arrived.
In the last week, Brian Hoyer was finally benched after throwing one touchdown compared to eight interceptions over the past month, which resulted in the Browns going 1-3 and collapsing all but out of the AFC playoff race. The benefactors: the rest of the NFL world, who can now watch Johnny Manziel do his thing.
Manziel gets his first start against a Cincinnati team that has been on a roller coaster all season long. After surprising us all with solid play throughout November, the Bengals nearly fell victim to the Buccaneers in Week 13 and last week finally caved against Pittsburgh. Browns coach Mike Pettine must be looking for the rookie to spark the offense, which now has a healthy Jordan Cameron and Josh Gordon both back. And defensively, the unit returns Tashaun Gibson, who was leading the league in interceptions with six before getting injured.
It’s no surprise the Bengals’ lackluster play has everything to do with Andy Dalton, who is in the midst of usual winter blues. Aside from A.J. Green, no other wide receiver has stepped up in the passing game, making it easy for opposing defenses to stop the run. The Bengals offense has turned it over six times in the past three games. Last week, the Cincy defense allowed two touchdowns of more than 90 yards, the only time that’s happened in NFL history.
Bold prediction: Throw logic out the door in this one. We’re all in on Johnny Football. This is the most anticipated start by any rookie quarterback this entire season and probably since Andrew Luck or Tim Tebow got their first action. The Bengals should have an advantage going up against the first-time starter, but does that apply to Manziel? The former Heisman winner will struggle, at least at first, before feeling the pressure and playing up to it in the second half. Manziel’s big fourth quarter propels the Browns over the Bengals in the Dog Pound by a field goal.
