NFL Player News

After leading the Browns to two straight wins, quarterback Brian Hoyer will start again Thursday vs. Buffalo, a source told ESPN. Browns coach Rob Chudzinski told reporters following Sunday's win against the Bengals he wanted to evaluate game film before deciding on if Hoyer will continue to replace Brandon Weeden, who has missed the last two games with a thumb injury, as the starting quarterback.

For the second week in a row, Browns starter Brian Hoyer led Cleveland to a win. For the second week in a row, Hoyer has looked like a quality Fantasy quarterback.

Is it time to consider him a starter?

Hoyer was 25 of 38 passing for 269 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions against the Bengals. He now has at least 22 Fantasy points in two starts.

Here's what you have to like about Hoyer: he plays in a pass-happy system, the Browns can't run the ball and he has two elite talents in Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron. And he has a favorable matchup in Week 5 against Buffalo.

You have to worry about the Thursday night jinx, but Hoyer is on fire coming into the game with the Bills. If you need a bye-week replacement -- assuming the Browns don't give Brandon Weeden (thumb) his job back (why would they?) -- then consider Hoyer in Week 5 against Buffalo.

Jets quarterback Geno Smith endured another rough performance as he turned the ball over four times Sunday at Tennessee in Week 4.

Smith was picked off on his first pass attempt of the game and then again in the second quarter. He also lost two fumbles, including one in the end zone for a Tennessee touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Titans scored on all four of Smith’s turnovers.

Smith also found Jeff Cumberland for a 34-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter for his fourth touchdown of the season. He completed 23 of 34 passes for 289 yards while throwing one touchdown and two interceptions in a 38-13 defeat. He rushed for seven yards on three carries, was sacked five times and finished with a 79.2 passer rating.

Smith has eight  interceptions and three fumbles lost through his first four games. He will look to bounce back on Monday night against the Falcons in Week 5.

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton continues to struggle this season, and he had another bad game in Week 4 at Cleveland.

Dalton was 23 of 42 passing for 206 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. He also lost a fumble.

Dalton has yet to top 19 Fantasy points in a game this season. He is not taking advante of his weapons, and he's gotten off to a bad start this year.

The Bengals play New England in Week 5, and Dalton should not be considered a starting Fantasy option. Until he proves himself, he should only be used in deeper leagues as a No. 2 Fantasy passer.

As a passer, Russell Wilson was under siege and underwhelming on Sunday at Houston. As a rusher, though, he was pretty darn good. 

Wilson amassed 77 rush yards on 10 carries, many of which came in the second half. Wilson likely ran more to catch the Texans defense off guard -- the Houston pass rush was constantly in his backfield as he played behind an O-line sporting three backups. 

As a passer Wilson was a disaster. He barely completed half of his passes for 123 yards with an interception. 

I'm nervous to start him going forward for a couple of reasons: One, he's not typically running for 77 yards a game -- the matchup dictated it this week. Two, it's clear he's not going to throw a ton no matter the flow of a game. He played nearly five 15-minute quarters and attempted just 23 passes. That's the second-highest amount of passes he's thrown this year. And with him throwing that little every week it's hard to count on him to throw a touchdown or two (or four), especially with his receiving corps being a mess. The Seahawks' leading receiver on Sunday was Marshawn Lynch; no receiver has had more than 91 yards in a game this year. It's as if Wilson needs a very favorable matchup in order to keep his passing stats from being poor. Or so it seems for now. 

He might have to throw a decent amount next week at Indianapolis, but there's no telling just how great he'll be. 

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was held without a touchdown against the Texans.

Wilson finished the game 12 of 23, with 123 yards. Wilson made up for some of those struggles with a strong game on the ground. He gained 77 yards on 10 carries. Despite the poor game, Wilson actually kept his team in the matchup with a couple of late long drives. 

Wilson will take on the Colts Week 5.

Despite all the talk of simplifying the game plan to give him more freedom, Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert looked as uncomfortable as ever Week 4 against the Colts. Returning to the lineup after missing two games with a laceration in his throwing hand, he completed 17 of 32 passes for 179 yards and three interceptions.

Granted, he didn't get much help. His second pass of the game was a well-placed deep ball that deflected off the hands of intended receiver Cecil Shorts and into the arms of defender Vontae Davis. In fact, all three of his interceptions were balls his wide receiver probably should have caught.

But it's not like he was lighting up the scoreboard in between. He struggled with the Colts' pass rush, getting sacked four times and anticipating pressure when there was none, which led to him scrambling out of the pocket and throwing off balance. Coach Gus Bradley gave Gabbert a vote of confidence after the game, though, telling the team's official website he deserves a longer look.

"I'm staying strong with Blaine," he said.

Gabbert has now thrown for less than 200 yards in eight of his last 11 starts. He and the Jaguars will visit the Rams in Week 5.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was solid against the Bears Week 4.

Stafford went 23 of 35 through the air, with 242 passing yards. Stafford was able to hook up with Calvin Johnson on a 2 yard pass. He also picked up a rushing touchdown on a quarterback sneak. Stafford actually fumbled the ball, but caught it in the air for the quick score. 

He'll take on the Packers next week. 

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton never quite got comfortable in Week 4, in a 17-6 loss to the Browns Sunday.

Dalton turned the ball over twice in the game, once on a fumble and once on an interception late that downed a comeback bid. Dalton completed just 23 of 42 passes for 206 yards, while failing to throw for a touchdown for the first time this season. He added 13 rushing yards on four carries.  

This was by far Dalton's worst game of the season, as he put up just a 58.2 passer rating. He has completed 63.5 percent of his passes through four games, while accounting for 1,003 passing yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions.

The Bengals could be looking at a shootout in Week 5, as they get set to take on the Patriots next Sunday. 

Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer was even better in his second start of the season in a Week 4 win over the Bengals Sunday.

Hoyer was forced to throw the ball a lot yet again, but took much better care of it after his three-interception performance last week. Hoyer completed 25 of 38 passes for 269 yards, while avoiding any turnovers. He tossed two touchdowns in the game, one to Jordan Cameron and another to Chris Ogbonnaya to clinch a 17-6 win.

Hoyer has now led the Browns to consecutive wins after Brandon Weeden opened the season 0-2. Hoyer has completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 590 yards and five touchdowns, with three interceptions in two games.

He will try to keep his strong start up in Week 5, as the Browns get set to face the Bills Thursday.