Still, coach Mike Tomlin saw enough to make Roethlisberger active behind Jones, who looked solid in relief of Roethlisberger last week. The Browns gained no yards on three plays, punted and Roethlisberger needed only two plays for another touchdown.
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As much as Roethlisberger is an upgrade over Jones under center, these are still the Browns visiting Heinz Field on Sunday.
It was just the second time Roethlisberger has entered the game in a reserve role. On the other side, the Steelers starting QB also sits for at least this game as Landry Jones steps in again.
The Steelers muffed a punt to begin the second quarter, but fell on top of the ball. Backup Landry Jones likely will get the start when the Steelers host another team with quarterback questions in the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Bryant also had a fumble that negated a handsome fingertip catch. The half-dozen sacks are a concern, but the fact he was still able to get the football out quickly, make plays and rack up so many yards under pressure is a sign of maturation. At 2-7, the Browns are not in the Playoff discussion so a win from them does not hurt.
Both McCown and Manziel want the opportunity to face Pittsburgh and give Browns fans something to celebrate if they can beat the Steelers despite another disappointing season.
If you look on Wikipedia regarding the rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, you will find that this series is often referred to as the “Turnpike Rivalry” or the “Turnpike War”. Their offense is rated 22nd overall. Healthy or on one foot. The defense stopped the pass attempt to the corner, but Manziel had to take over at his own 1 yard line.
The secondary will have a tough challenge facing the Steelers receiving threats of Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant and Heath Miller when they are at full strength and healthy. Still, Manziel turned the Steelers into believers after they spent three-plus hours breathlessly chasing him.
Manziel is expected to start his second straight game because McCown hasn’t passed the most important test – whether he can take a hit.
Trailing 24-3 early in the third quarter, Manziel completed a number of nice passes from the pocket on a drive that milked more than 9 minutes off the clock. After all, he’s averaging 271 passing yards per game, has a 95.2 quarterback rating and has thrown 11 touchdowns to four interceptions in seven games (he threw 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 11 games in 2014).
Officials initially ruled it a score, but the call was overturned on review. In fact, I highly doubt the Browns coach is keeping anyone with Pittsburgh on their toes by not revealing whether he’s going with McCown or Manziel. Manziel was 33 for 45 for 372 yards, but he did not lead the Browns to a touchdown until 12:28 remained in the game. Even when they scored a touchdown Travis Coons, the Browns’ placekicker missed the PAT.
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And with the way DeAngelo Williams is running – 90 carries, 480 yards, 5.3-yard average, five touchdowns – he doesn’t figure to be affected by Jones, either. The first came during the second game of his rookie season in 2004 when he made his National Football League debut by subbing for Tommy Maddox in a loss to the Ravens at Baltimore. This could be a long day for the Browns’ offense.
