h1. Hoyer or Manziel vs the Colts on Dec 7, 2014

The Browns are 7-5 and in a good spot still. When the Browns finished the first half of the season at 5-3, that two-game differential between wins and losses was huge for Cleveland. It was obvious that the schedule for the last half of the season would be tougher than the first half. That's why I thought that if the Browns went 4-4 over the second half of the season, it would be a better accomplishment than the 5-3 start.

9-7 may not put a team in the AFC playoffs this year, but if Cleveland could be 8-7, going into the final game at Baltimore, Cleveland could still be in the conversation for the playoffs. Most likely, the Browns would need to finish at least 9-7, and then get some help with the tie-breakers. Losing to Houston and Buffalo hurts Cleveland with tie-breakers.

It's possible that the math could line-up so that the Browns could be eliminated from the playoffs after the 15th game even with an 8-7 record. But a lot of playoff contenders will beat each other up in December. 

I think Cleveland could lose their next two games, both at home, versus Baltimore and Cincinnati, which would mean a three-game losing streak for Cleveland, and at 7-7, the Browns could still be in the playoff picture by winning their final two games, on the road at lowly Carolina and Baltimore.

The Browns offense has been hit hard by injuries. Josh Gordon has played two games, and he has played well at times, but Cleveland is still without TE Cameron, and the Browns do not have enough high quality pass catchers to compliment Gordon.

The Browns running game continues to struggle. Without a running game, Hoyer is asked to pass too much. Because of injuries to the offensive line, Hoyer is under pressure often. Hoyer is not as mobile as Manziel.

Manziel may be the Browns' best running option with designed running plays or scrambling on pass plays.

M