The Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals will collide in a crucial match on Sunday at First Energy Stadium, where rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel will make his first career start in the National Football League.
The Week 15 match between Cleveland and Cincinnati will be a crucial one as the two in-state rivals are in a tight race in the American Football Conference North standings. The Bengals are on top of the division with their 8-4 record, but the Browns are not too far behind at 7-6.
All eyes will be on Manziel, the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, as he makes his first start after Browns coach Mike Pettine decided to bench Brian Hoyer following their recent slump.
Pettine said in a recent interview that he and his staff decided to give Manziel a chance. He said that the former Texas A&M standout will put them in a better position to win against the Bengals, insisting that Manziel has been preparing himself for a big opportunity all-season long.
"We are trying to get the offense to perform at a higher level," Pettine said via ESPN. Johnny has worked very hard to earn this opportunity and it will be very important for every member of the offense to elevate their play for us to obtain our desired result."
Manziel, who completed 5 of 8 passes for 63 yards and had one diving touchdown when he played in the fourth period of their match against the Buffalo Bills two weeks ago, is also excited to make his first start.
The 22-year-old rookie, a former Heisman Trophy winner, knows that he needs to be the leader of the Browns in a crucial match despite being one of the youngest players in the team.
"It's not like it was in the preseason," Manziel said. "I feel I have a lot better control of everything. I'm under a lot more control than I was then. I have to go out and be the leader of this team, regardless of if I'm a rookie or not."
The Browns-Bengals match is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. EST. Fans can catch on the action on Fox and through online streaming via Verizon NFL Mobile and NFL Sunday Ticket.
