NFL Player News

Johnny Manziel is a near-certainty to be named the starting quarterback for the Browns, starting with the Week 15 game against visiting Cincinnati, a team source has told CBSSports.com NFL Insider Jason LaCanfora.

Mike Pettine has yet to announce a change, stating that he must confer with his coaches first. But according to LaCanfora, the struggles of Brian Hoyer in the starting role has created a 99 percent certainty that the switch to Manziel is imminent.

Hoyer has thrown seven interceptions without a touchdown in the last three games and has played a major role in the team all but falling out of the playoff race.

Mike Pettine has yet to declare his starting quarterback going forward despite the recent struggles of Browns starter Brian Hoyer.

"It would be natural to be leaning the other way (toward Johnny Manziel)," Pettine told the Cleveland Plain Dealer on Monday. But he added that he wanted to confer with his coaches before making a decision as to his starter for the do-or-die game Sunday against visiting Cincinnati.

Pettine added that he believes Manziel will be prepared if he's indeed named the starter.

Despite miserable numbers over the last four games that include just one touchdown and eight interceptions, Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer is claiming that he's doing nothing different than when he was proving himself to be one of the pleasant surprises of the NFL earlier in the year.

"I don't think I'm playing differently," Hoyer told the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. "I don't have a different mindset going out there, it's just go out and try to see the defense and react. I can't pinpoint one certain thing."

Hoyer could be nailing the coffin shut on his immediate future as an NFL starter, both with the Browns and if he follows through with free agency in the offseason. Any possibility of him signing with his hometown team seems to have disappeared.

"It's so far removed from my mind," he said. "Right now getting over yesterday [a loss to Indianapolis] and moving on to Cincinnati. It's crazy how fast things change. I feel like four or five weeks ago we're talking about contract talks and now we're talking about if I'm even going to be staying here."

Browns embattled quarterback Brian Hoyer has been told nothing about losing his job to Johnny Manziel, per The Associated Press. He added that he believes he still has the trust of his teammates and coaches.

Hoyer has zero touchdowns and seven interceptions over his last three games and many expect the change heading into the Week 15 game against Cincinnati.

For the second straight week, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford took advantage of a favorable matchup, following up 390-yard performance Week 13 against Chicago with a three-touchdown performance Week 14 against Tampa Bay. It was his first game with three passing touchdowns all season and just his fourth with more than 300 passing yards. He finished with 311.

Some will credit the return of star wide receiver Calvin Johnson from an ankle injury for Stafford's turnaround, and certainly, that's played a part. He was responsible for 158 of Stafford's yards in Week 14 and 146 in Week 13. But he returned in Week 10. Stafford was only productive in one of his first three games back.

At least just as responsible for the turnaround is the matchups. Stafford faced the Cardinals and Patriots in Weeks 11 and 12, two teams with some star power in their secondaries, and they were two of his worst games of the season. The Bears and Buccaneers have allowed bunches of touchdowns through the air this season, and Stafford, with help from Johnson, has added to those numbers.

Of course, whether Johnson or the matchups are more responsible is mostly irrelevant. Johnson isn't going anywhere, and Stafford has two more favorable matchups against the Vikings and Bears the next two weeks. He's finally the quarterback you drafted him to be, so keep him active.

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson picked up three scores Week 14 against the Eagles.

Wilson completed 22 of 37 passes for 263 yards and two passing touchdowns. He did not turn the ball over during the contest. Wilson was able to use his escapability in the pocket to extend some plays. While he was sacked twice, he also managed to break free and find receivers often. Wilson averaged 7.1 yards per attempt. As usual, he was also a threat in the running game. Wilson ran the ball 10 times for 48 yards. He was able to break free on a 26 yard touchdown run in the second quarter, tying the game up. 

Wilson will look for more Week 15 against the 49ers. 

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr had a strong game Week 14 against the 49ers.

Carr completed 22 of 28 passes for 254 yards and three scores. He did not turn the ball over and took just one sack during the outing. Carr was able to show off his arm during the contest, as he averaged 9.1 yards per completion. Carr showed a lot of resilience during the game, leading two separate comebacks. He was able to pull the team ahead for good late in the fourth quarter. Carr also rushed twice for 2 yards. 

Carr will take on the Chiefs Week 15. 

Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill posted another subpar effort in Week 14, in a 28-13 loss to the Ravens.

Tannehill had just 15 Fantasy points in Sunday's game, though he avoided any sort of mistakes in the loss. He just did little of note as the Dolphins offense fell completely silent after a few strong early drives. He picked up 227 yards though the air in the game, but rushed for just 6 on two carries, his fifth straight game with fewer than 20 rushing yards.

From Week 4 to Week 9, Tannehill averaged 24.0 Fantasy points per game, a good chunk of which came with his legs, as he averaged 45.4 yards per game on the ground. In five games since, he has just 50 rushing yards total, and is averaging 17.6 Fantasy points per game.

Tannehill is a solid enough passer, but the Dolphins really found another level of success when he was involved as a runner. With teams slowing him down on the ground, Fantasy owners should probably steer clear of Tannehill down the stretch. 

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 331 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 34-17 win over the Bucs. 

Stafford found wide receiver Calvin Johnson for a 6-yard touchdown to get things going in the first quarter. Then, up 20-10, Stafford connected with tight end Joseph Fauria for a 10-yard touchdown. He sealed the win for Detroit he hit running back Joique Bell for a 5-yard score.

Stafford and the Lions host the Vikings in Week 15.

Jets quarterback Geno Smith was able to throw a touchdown pass, but it was not enough to defeat the Vikings Sunday.

Smith threw a pick-six on his first pass attempt of the game, but was able to recover to complete 18 of his 29 pass attempts for 254 yards. Smith also rushed for 33 yards on six attempts.

The 29 pass attempts were more than double what Smith attempted Week 13 against the Dolphins when he threw 13 passes. Smith has yet to throw multiple touchdown passes in a game this season without an interception.

The Jets will play at Tennessee Week 15.