Cleveland Browns will Start Hoyer over Manziel

The Cleveland Browns have decided to stick to Brian Hoyer over Johnny Manziel as their starting quarterback.

"After thorough evaluation and talking to the staff, we feel Brian gives us the best opportunity to win on Sunday. This is a football decision, and those are always going to be based on what we think is best for our team," the Browns' head coach, Mike Pettine, said in a press conference. "Brian has led our team to a 7-5 record. I'm confident that we can get the entire offense playing at the level needed to accomplish the goals we set at the beginning of the season. Those goals are still very much attainable."

Hoyer started off the season strong. However, He has been struggling over the past two weeks, throwing five interceptions. In this past Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills, Hoyer completed 5 of 8 passes for 63 yards in the 26-10 loss. He had one 10-yard touchdown.

"Obviously, I have to play better. Just get back to what we do best," Hoyer said reported by Clevelandbrowns.com. "I've been through a lot. It's just one more thing to handle some adversity. I know it only makes you stronger. I said I'd be back here Wednesday and get ready for Indy and it's back to business as usual."

Prior to the announcement, rumors were circulating that rookie Manziel could be starting the game against the Indianapolis Colts (8-4). In the game against Buffalo, Manziel completed 3 of his first 4 passes for 54 yards and played a vital role in the Browns' 80-yard touchdown drive.

"It was close," Pettine said. "It was difficult because how [Manziel] played.

He added, reported by Kevin Jones with Clevelandbrowns.com, "We're going to get Brian playing better. He knows there's some things he needs to work on. He's shown the ability to bounce back from things that have happened negatively in the past. Just look internally at the Atlanta game ... he made the mistakes he made and was able to bounce back. We're confident he'll be able to do that this week."

Despite his performance, Pettine went with his veteran for this Sunday's game. He stated that with Manziel, who was the Browns' 22nd overall draft pick, there is still a lot of unknowns to his game, whereas with Hoyer, the team can expect him to get back up and start making plays.

Despite the decision to continue playing Hoyer, a source reportedly told ESPN.com that Manziel could be starting the season's final three games.