Why the Cleveland Browns should consider benching Brian Hoyer
By Matt Reed
Nov 6, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer (6) looks on during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns are currently enjoying a 7-4 record heading into their Week 13 encounter with the Buffalo Bills. Cleveland is a team with young talent on both sides of the ball, especially on offense. Suspended All-Pro wide receiver Josh Gordon is back from his ten-game suspension, and the team have ran the ball effectively in his absence. So what is wrong with this team? Brian Hoyer. The former Michigan State Spartans quarterback has done an admirable job in 2014, but he isn’t the long-term answer for this franchise.
Saying that the Browns have had a favorable schedule would be an understatement. Of teams in contention for an AFC playoff position, Cleveland’s strength of schedule is .387.
AFC Playoff Contenders (Record and Strength of Schedule):
1. New England (9-2, .469)
2. Denver (8-3, .571)
3. Cincinnati (7-3-1, .469)
4. Indianapolis (7-4, .485)
5. Pittsburgh (7-4, .435)
6. Kansas City (7-4, .515)
7. San Diego (7-4, .474)
8. Cleveland (7-4, .387)
9. Baltimore (6-4, .495)
10. Miami (6-5, .510)
Simply put, the Browns have had an unbelievably easy schedule up until this point. Cleveland could have easily had two more wins as well. The team’s season opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers came down to a game-winning field goal by Pittsburgh. Then, the Browns lost at home by two points to another divisional foe, Baltimore.
The reason why I’m making this argument is because despite the team’s excellent record, they have had every opportunity to be better. Through eleven games, Brian Hoyer has only managed to throw eleven touchdowns. While he does have more touchdowns than interceptions (8), those numbers don’t cut it from a starting quarterback, let alone one that is trying to lead his team to the playoffs. Cleveland struggled to beat a poor Atlanta Falcons team on Sunday, much because of Hoyer’s untimely decision-making. Hoyer did throw for over 300 yards, but didn’t throw a touchdown pass and threw three interceptions.