Johnny Manziel loses but earns another start

Nov 15, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) passes the ball under pressure from Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt (91) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns, to the surprise of no one, lost on Sunday to the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-9. One surprise was Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger having to come off the bench to win it. Roethlisberger had just suffered a mid-foot sprain last week and was expected to sit this one out.

But backup quarterback Landry Jones was injured early and Roethlisberger came to the rescue with 379 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. In the process Sunday, it looks like 2014 1st-round pick Johny Manziel earned another start and quarterback for the Browns. Sure, he has some stuff to work on but the best way to do that is if he plays.

He wasn’t pretty early with a fumble but Manziel went 33-45 for 372 yards, a touchdown. He was able to extend plays and make something happen outside the pocket and wasn’t too bad when he stayed in the pocket. Where he needs work is on his red-zone efficiency and taking care of the ball in the red-zone.

Again, that comes from playing but head coach Mike Pettine is acting like he’s in the playoff hunt and vet Josh McCown is winning. But the truth is McCown is doing no such thing as he is 1-4 to Manziel’s 1-2. So they should see what he can do with a string of starts to see if he can be their quarterback of the future.

He actually looked pretty good in spots Sunday.