Brian Hoyer starting for Browns on Sunday vs. Colts

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It's not Johnny Football time in Cleveland just yet. will start at quarterback this week for Francisco Rodriguez Jersey  the , the team confirmed in a pre s release. Hoyer was replaced by , but coach is sticking with the veteran for at least one more week. FOX Sports first had the news.NFL Media's Albert Breer reports that Cleveland's status in the playoff race at 7-5 was the deciding factor. Hoyer helped get them there, and the . (For now.)Pettine was asked Wednesday what the biggest factor in choosing Hoyer was."The fact that he'd been in there, he'd been a part of our succe s," Pettine said. "It wasn't perfect and he's made his share of mistakes, but he' Mike Schmidt Jersey s gotten the lion's share of the reps in practice and virtually all of them in games and has us in the thick of a playoff hunt. That Maikel Franco Jersey  to me was probably the biggest determining factor."The news comes as a surprise. Pettine has been tight-lipped about his starter since the lo s to the , which usually means that a change is coming. Hoyer has exceeded expectations overall as the team's starter, hitting on a surprising number of deep throws and helping the to a 7-5 record. But there's no denying Hoyer has played his worst football over the last few weeks, and he has inconsistent accuracy for someone with a limited skill set. There have been a number of miscommunications with over the last two weeks.Manziel in his brief appearance in Buffalo, and it would not be a surprise to see him come off the bench again if Hoyer struggles Sunday against Indianapolis. Bryce Harper Jersey  Hoyer will be fighting a game-to-game battle to keep his job, not to mention a potential contract in the offseason when he becomes a free agent.Pettine has been a big Chase Utley Jersey  supporter of Hoyer, dating back to the preseason. Ultimately he is choosing the mid-level quarterback he knows versus the greater upside and risk of Manziel.The latest Around The NFL Podcast and reacts to earning the nod over . Find more Around The NFL content on .