Jabaal Sheard active in Atlanta; Gordon to play roughly 30 snaps
November 23, 2014Women rule the AMAs, and the return of Dave Chappelle: While We’re Waiting…
November 24, 2014It seemed like nobody wanted to win this game. Better stated, nobody was willing to take it until the very last second. The teams traded possessions like crazy with the game in the balance. Matt Ryan yielded to his punter. Brian Hoyer threw not one, but two interceptions in the fourth quarter in his attempts to ice the game. One of those interceptions is about as unforgivable as can be as he was intercepted in the end zone. Both of the fourth quarter picks were throws in the direction of newly activated Josh Gordon, so it stands to reason that Hoyer and Gordon might not have been on the same page, but those details won’t matter tomorrow. The fact is that the Cleveland Browns were in position all throughout the second half of a game on the road to win it. They nearly weren’t willing to take advantage of that position, but thanks to some bad clock management by the Atlanta Falcons and the Browns finally took advantage. Brian Hoyer found Miles Austin, Josh Gordon, Gary Barnidge and Austin again, against a soft Falcons defense to give Billy Cundiff a 37-yard attempt. And in the end, the Falcons gave way to the Cleveland Browns 26-24.
Yes they won, and yes they did it thanks to Brian Hoyer’s arm, but this game is not good news for the Brian Hoyer bandwagon. Even at the random party I was watching our fair Browns from there were kids – children – casually concluding that Brian Hoyer stinks and the Browns should go to Johnny Manziel. That’s not to use as expert testimony, but just to point out how thick and wide-reaching the narrative is. And as the Browns’ record falls to climbs to 7-4, the conversations about the AFC North and the playoffs and all those things that benefit the side of the ledger to keeping Brian Hoyer atop the depth chart will start to also rise to the side of switching to the more dynamic Johnny Manziel. I’m not going to be the one saying that the Browns ought to consider it, but I can only do so much to quell the tide after a game – even a victory – where Brian Hoyer throws three interceptions.
But the Browns won the game! Your Cleveland Browns are now 7-4. Your Browns are in a virtual tie atop the AFC North with the Bengals leading because they tied once. Three teams all have seven wins. The Browns are one of them and Baltimore has six.
And welcome back Josh Gordon. Yes, two of Hoyer’s interceptions were in Josh Gordon’s direction, but he had a game. Gordon had eight receptions for 120 yards. He was targeted 16 times and had a long of 24. The Browns worked hard to find Gordon, hitting him on screens to put the ball in his hands and let him run with it. And he did run. He ran so much that we probably won’t even talk about Andrew Hawkins’ excellent day.
None of it was easy.
The Browns gave up a fourth quarter touchdown and were clinging two a two point lead, 23-21. With the game on the line on the road, the Browns started to drive. A pass to Josh Gordon. An impressive set of runs by Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West and then Brian Hoyer lofted a ball toward the end zone where Gordon was in the area only to have it picked off by Desmond Trufant. The team that has become somewhat known for playing better in the second half with an ability to come from behind failed miserably in their attempt to ice the game. The Falcons took over at their own 20 with just under five minutes to go and needing just a field goal to take the lead. The Falcons gave the ball back to the Browns again via punt, but Brian Hoyer’s response was a four-play “drive” that ended in another interception.
The Browns notched another big injury on the day as Tashaun Gipson went down. There’s no telling how badly the Browns might miss Tashaun Gipson though. Gipson collided with Joe Haden and Roddy White near the goal line and rode off in a cart clutching at his right leg. Obviously the worst fears are that he’s suffered the same fate as Alex Mack who was lost for the season with a broken leg. Early on this season and throughout last season there was a sneaking suspicion that maybe Gipson was the king of being in the right place at the right time, but not this year. Gipson came out and showed that he was more than just a beneficiary of play around him. When Gipson exited the game, the Browns had a nine point lead, which quickly became a two point lead with under ten minutes to go in the fourth quarter.
But the Browns won the game. This wasn’t a strong game for the Brownies, but you can’t be too harsh when it comes to road wins in the NFL. Still, I think we all know that the conversation will be dominated by Johnny Manziel talk after Hoyer’s three interceptions become the main topic of conversation. I don’t expect the Browns will entertain that talk, nor do I expect them to make a change, so it’s probably all a waste of breath, but you know it’s going to happen anyway, starting first and foremost with 6 AM on one local sports talk radio show in particular.
Next up? The Browns are supposed to be in Buffalo to play the Bills, but we’ll have to see when and where that game will actually take place. The Bills game was snowed out of its Sunday timeslot this week for a Monday game away from Buffalo against the Jets.
111 Comments
Stolen shamelessly from Fred Rogers.
Hoyer had some very bad passes, such as missing a wide open Gordon on the way to the second field goal. HIs first interception was the worst. The second interception bad place but he was trying to throw it away while backpedaling. The Third one may have been on Gordon when Hoyer threw to the sideline and Gordon was running about 10 yards inbounds.
2012 49ers, at 8-2-1 going with Colin Kaepernick over a healthy Alex Smith who was 19-5-1 while playing for Harbaugh. Not saying we should do it, but it has happened.
And the Falcons will make the playoffs at 6-10.
Counterpoint: If Hoyer completes those passes (to guys in orange helmets), Shanahan’s a genius. Throwing the ball on 1st down is, really, a brilliant thing to do if your running game is gashing an opponent – unless your QB throws it TO THE OTHER TEAM.
Handing the ball to Crow inside the 20 is a no-risk scenario! Should have done it!
(Repressed memory tingles)
Fair point. i guess i misinterpreted “the best QB doesn’t always win it all, like last year” as russell wilson isnt that good. My mistake. I guess i am taking this to the extreme/absolute becasue I strongly believe this. I watch enough football to know that Brian Hoyer will never win a super bowl. i dont wan ta QB that could maybe get “hot” in the playoffs. I want a QB that I have confidence in when the playoffs come. I don’t have any confidence in Brian Hoyer. From the games I have seen this year, “He just can’t” is pretty fair response, in my opnion. What have you seen that gives you any idea that he could win playoff games, if may ask? (I think thats where any argument should begin)
I think there is a version of Hoyer that can win a playoff game or two. It’s the one we saw earlier in the season that didn’t commit careless turnovers. If we can get THAT Brian back, anything’s possible.
This position is patently absurd. Hoyer has engineered 5 4th quarter comeback wins in his 14 games as a Browns starter. He has a winning record and has been the best Browns quarterback since Bernie Kosar.
And the jokers on this board want to see him replaced by an unproved commodity with the maturity level of a 2nd year frat boy who could very easily be considerably worse than the capable individual we have manning the position right now.
Hoyer was by no means awful. He made a couple of terrible mistakes, but redeemed them by coming through with another ice-water-in-the-veins clutch drive. Also, Hoyer will get Andy Dalton money, pal. The only question is, will it be the Browns who dole it out.
This winning despite Hoyer narrative is ludicrous. He clearly didn’t have his best game, but he threw for over 300 yards, made some critical third down throws and as is his wont, engineered a brilliant clutch 4th quarter drive to win the game.
The won the game because of Brian Hoyer, not despite him.
umiru bolno.