The Cleveland Browns pulled out another win on Sunday with Brian Hoyer starting at QB over Johnny Manziel for Week 9 and they did it without Jordan Cameron, as he was dealing with a concussion and now the team is closer to getting back Josh Gordon, as he will make a return for fantasy football owners in a couple weeks after Week 10 and that could be a major boost to the Browns down the stretch.
The Browns won on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and they are still in the playoff conversation in the AFC, which is one reason why Johnny Manziel remains on the sidelines for Brian Hoyer. According to ESPN.com, Mike Pettine has liked what Hoyer has done this season and he has earned enough to keep the starting job. The Browns were bad and so was Hoyer in the game against Jacksonville, but he has played much better and now has the chance to put the Browns in position to make the playoffs.
The Browns already have four wins in a wide open division race and the play of Hoyer has been one reason why. The team will also get back Josh Gordon eventually and that will be huge for the offense going forward. Hoyer went 21-of-34 against the Buccaneers and had his first 300 yard game of the season while throwing two picks and two TDs. The Browns now have five wins on the season and they are doing better than last season and while Hoyer doesn't kill it for fantasy owners, he is doing just fine in reality for the Browns.
Hoyer has led the team to two straight wins against the Raiders and Buccaneers and while those are teams the Browns should beat, the team should have won over the Jags as well. Hoyer has done enough to keep the Browns in it this season and he has 2022 yards on the season with 10 touchdowns and just four interceptions and while he is completing less than 60 percent of his passes, he has taken care of the ball and has not turned it over much. As long as he keeps doing that, Manziel will remain on the sidelines.
Ben Tate returned from an injury and has been a huge boost for the Browns, as he has taken over back as the number one RB with Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell filling in for him. Tate had just 29 yards in the game last week, but his presence has helped the Browns keep the running game alive and that has opened things up in the passing game for Hoyer. Crowell did not play a snap in the game against the Bucs and that makes Tate and West the best options for fantasy owners.
The Browns play on Thursday night football with the Bengals this week and Tate could be a big factor in that game. Tate has not had 100 yards since back in Week 5 when he came back from his injury and fantasy owners are looking for the Browns to pick up the pace. Josh Gordon is making his comeback soon and he is a major sleeper option for the Browns and fantasy owners and he could make a huge impact down the stretch.
