When Brian Hoyer was named the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns during training camp, he knew was getting the job with a caveat; the job was likely only going to be his until Johnny Manziel was ready to take the job. After all, Manziel was drafted in the first round for a reason, and it was not to sit on the bench or spend his time getting his attention for what he is doing off the field.
At least that’s what the Browns thought.
In the wake of the greatest road comeback in NFL history, the former St. Ignatius High School standout now has his jersey displayed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, just a short drive from his hometown of Lakewood, Ohio.
Suddenly, the narrative in Browns country seems to be changing, and Hoyer looks like a player who has no intention of giving up the job easily, or anytime soon.
As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare to face the 2-2 Browns, who are coming off a miraculous 25-point comeback to beat the Tennessee Titans 29-28, they know they will be facing not only a player who had a cup of coffee with the organization in 2012, but a player with a flair for the dramatic.
Hoyer almost helped the Browns score a similar comeback against the Steelers at Heinz Field in Week 1, as Hoyer led his team back from a 27-3 halftime deficit, eventually bringing the Browns all the way back to tie the score at 27. Only a late drive that led to a last second field goal drive stopped the Browns from another improbable road comeback.
Though Hoyer’s numbers on the whole are not eye-popping (82-for-132, 60.1%, 6 TD’s, 1 INT), he clearly does not shy away from adversity and seems to play his best when the challenge is the most difficult. Some might say that this team has a little bit of the “Cardiac Kids” look to it, and with all four games decided by three points or less so far, there might be something to the comparison to the 1980 Browns squad that won the AFC Central with a number of improbable late game comebacks.
Is Hoyer the 2014 version of Brian Sipe?
It’s still a little early for those comparisons, but what is certain is the Steelers will be dealing with a quarterback who seems to find ways to get the job done, especially late in games.
This will be a critical game for both teams. A win for the Steelers will push them to 4-2 and will give them reason to believe they can push towards a division title. A loss will only make winning the division look like more of a pipe dream, especially with some difficult games waiting ahead on the schedule.
For the Browns and Hoyer, this is a huge opportunity at home. Though the Steelers have absolutely dominated the Browns, a win on Sunday would push the Browns over .500, and give them confidence that they too could be in the mix for a playoff spot.
To say the Steelers have had the upper hand against the Browns during the Roethlisberger era would be an understatement, as the Browns are 1-17 when the Ohio native is behind center for the black and gold.
This will indeed be a statement game for the Browns, and if the Steelers want to continue their incredible streak of dominance against their hated rival, they are going to have to stop Hoyer from being a late game hero.
Unfortunately for Steeler fans that might be easier said than done.
Photo Credit: CBS Sports
