It seems every time a poor stretch by Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer has critics calling for backup Johnny Manziel to replace him, the Cleveland native responds.
That was again the scenario Sunday against Tampa Bay. Hoyer completed 11 straight passes for 124 yards and one touchdown during a second-half flurry and finished 21 of 34 for 300 yards, two scores and two picks in a 22-17 victory. It marked his first 300-yard performance in 2014.
Hoyer started fast by completing his first two passes for 47 yards, but struggled in the second quarter, which included one of his two season-high interceptions. He opened the third by leading the Browns to an 80-yard drive culminated on a 2-yard touchdown pass off a roll left to running back Terrance West. Tampa regained the lead, but Hoyer responded with 10 minutes left in the game by tossing a 34-yard scoring strike to a wide-open Taylor Gabriel.
The quarterback will try to rise to the occasion when the Browns play their biggest regular season game since 2007 on Thursday night in Cincinnati.