Johnny Manziel. People will watch today’s Browns game live because of Johnny Manziel alone. The rookie QB gets his first NFL start against the Bengals today, 11 weeks after most NFL pundits expected him to get the nod over QB Brian Hoyer. You can see Johnny Manziel’s first career start live on TV or watch Bengals vs Browns game live online free stream as well.
Kickoff for the Bengals Browns game live is scheduled for 1pm EST / 10am PST. The Browns game is being played in Cleveland’s FirstEnergy Stadium. Naturally the home game for Manziel’s first start will give the home team a little extra energy (pun not intended) against the in-state rival Cincinnati Bengals.
When the Bengals and Browns met in early November, Hoyer got applause and chants from the crowd as he led the Browns to a 24-3 win over the Bengals in a Thursday Night game in Cincinnati. It was the Browns’ first AFC North road win since 2008, a win due to Hoyer’s play and Cleveland’s ability to control the clock with a ground game that delivered 170 yards rushing.
What a difference a month makes. Hoyer played horribly against the Colts last Sunday, the nail in his starting-QB coffin. While the Browns defense scored two TDs against Andrew Luck, Hoyer couldn’t get Cleveland over the hump in a 24-25 loss that was the 7-6 Browns’ third loss in four games since last facing the Bengals.
With Hoyer on the ropes and facing free agency after the season, Manziel was tabbed to start against the Bengals today. Though the 8-4-1 Bengals have a better record, the Browns couldn’t afford to not make some sort of change. Reports said the decision to start Manziel was made from above coach Pettine, but it was the right choice.
Las Vegas odds makers certainly liked the move. Today’s Bengals vs Browns game went from a Bengals advantage to a “pick-em” game with no favorite just based on Manziel starting today’s Browns game. Fox Sports sure likes the move too. They went from airing a novelty division rivalry game to broadcasting one the most-anticipated Bengals vs Browns games live that we’ve seen in years.
While Johnny Manziel will be the most high-profile quarterback as we watch Bengals vs Browns game live online free or on TV, it’ll be interesting to see how Bengals QB Andy Dalton plays. When the teams last met the Browns held Dalton to less than 33% passing and just 86 yards. The icing on the cake: three interceptions and two sacks. If the Cleveland defense performs like that again in today’s Browns game live, Johnny Manziel will likely get his first career win.
If you can’t watch live on TV, you can watch Bengals vs Browns game live online free stream on the NFL on Fox Sports Live page or on the DirecTV website if you have the NFL Sunday Ticket subscription with the MAX option.
