The Browns returned home from a road win over Minnesota (31-27) and kept their winning streak alive by dismantling the Bengals, the division champions, on paper.
Hoyer outperformed opposing quarterback Andy Dalton by completing 25-of-38 passes (65.8 percent) for 269 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He completed his fist nine passes of the game for 85 yards and one touchdown.
Dalton, on the other hand, struggled to make plays completing 23-of-42 passes for 206 yards and no touchdowns with an interception. Cincinnati’s high-powered offense was held to a total of 269 yards by the Browns’ stifling defense.
Cleveland head coach Rob Chudzinski raised some eyebrows when he made the decision to go with Hoyer, who at the time occupied the third-string quarterback position, as starter. The journeyman backup was given the reins on offense after starting quarterback Brandon Weeden sustained a thumb injury on his throwing hand late in the game against Baltimore in Week 2.
No longer a bench warmer, Hoyer has no desire going back to holding a clipboard. Instead he’s prepared to challenge for the position and won’t relinquish his duties without a fight.
“I’m a competitor and want to be on the field,” he said. “The decision on who’s playing, that’s not up to me. I just have to do what I can do, put my best foot forward and let Coach (Chudzinski) make that decision.”
Chudzinski is looking like a genius for making to move after the Browns stumbled out the gate. The team is 2-0 with Hoyer under center and is doing the things that are asked of him. He’s taking advantage of the opportunities put before him, something Weeden did not.
That said, Weeden has been cleared to return to the playing field, but it is Hoyer who was named on Monday as starter for Thursday night’s game against Buffalo. The quarterback’s blueprint for success has been establishing himself as a leader on offense and, of course, winning.
“I think that’s all part of it and starts with their approach,” Chudzinski said. “I always believe that quarterbacks have to be the first guy in the building and the last guy out, and their teammates see that. Set the example, and lead by example. Then it ultimately comes down to production and winning games.”
Bottom line: Hoyer gives the Browns the best chance to win.
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