Sunday Rundown: Johnny Manziel isn't ready

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.

So that's why the Cleveland Browns were so reluctant to bench the wholly ineffective Brian Hoyer for rookie Johnny Manziel.

Manziel showed he isn't ready to be a starting quarterback in the NFL on Sunday, turning in one of the worst performances of the season against the Browns' in-state divisional rivals from Cincinnati.

Manziel completed 10 of 18 passes for 80 yards and two interceptions, was sacked three times, and provided almost no value with his legs as the Browns were embarrassed 30-0 in front of their own fans. More than once, Bengals players mocked Manziel's "money" hand gesture after taking him down. 

All the criticisms frequently levied at Manziel were on display. He didn't look polished as a passer, didn't look equipped to handle the speed of the pro game and didn't seem to be in command of the offense pre-snap. 

Most worryingly, Manziel's self-confidence seemed to drain away as he became aware that life as an NFL starter won't be as easy as playing at Texas A&M often was.

It's only one game and it's far too early to write off Manziel, but where do the Browns go from here?

They can't turn back to Hoyer, though the team's coaches may wish they could. That book was closed when Hoyer produced a 0:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio over three starts. Manziel may not be the answer, but we know Hoyer isn't.

The only choice is to plow ahead with the rookie. 

Head coach Mike Pettine said after the game he believes three starts is enough to judge who a quarterback truly is. If Manziel's next two starts look like Sunday's, how can the Browns approach the offseason without wondering whether they still need to search for an answer at quarterback?

RG3 shows a glimmer of hope

It was fleeting, but for a few moments Robert Griffin III looked like the truly special player he was as a rookie.

Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden either didn't believe it was possible or didn't want to allow it to happen. He proved as much by starting an obviously injured Colt McCoy over Griffin.

McCoy failed to make it out of the first quarter, leaving Gruden no choice but to turn back to the player he tried to forget.

Griffin responded by completing 18-of-27 passes for 236 yards and one touchdown. He energized his teammates, hit receivers with snappy passes and even managed to flash a little something with his legs, rushing five times for 46 yards. You had to clear your eyes and make sure you weren't watching a highlight tape from 2012. 

It wasn't all roses. A few of Griffin's biggest flaws were on display. He left himself far too open to big hits, tried to do too much on his own (like on an ill-advised dive to the pylon as time expired in the first half - a play that ended with Griffin fumbling the ball through the end zone for a touchback) and ran way too hot and cold emotionally (as evidenced by his celebration-to-sulking change in demeanor when the aforementioned pylon dive was ruled a fumble and not a touchdown). 

But Griffin showed some life and, with how far he'd fallen, that must be considered a giant step in the right direction. What looked like a barren wasteland only weeks ago now looks like it could be a fertile ground. Griffin remains a reclamation project, but he's one coaches will want to take on.

The Redskins have a very big decision to make this offseason. It's apparent Gruden and Griffin cannot coexist in the same locker room. Until Sunday, it seemed certain Gruden had the inside edge. Suddenly, the odds appear to favor Griffin sticking around. 

Broncos flying low as playoffs approach

The 2013 Denver Broncos entered the playoffs at a historic scoring pace and advanced to the Super Bowl before crash landing at the feet of the Seattle Seahawks' suffocating defense.

The 2014 Broncos are headed to the playoffs, too, but they look like a very different football team than last year's squad.

The faces are mostly the same, but the aesthetic is all new. Maybe it's by choice and maybe it's by necessity, but these Broncos have transformed from a high-flying aerial attack into a ball-control, ground-and-pound team.

Peyton Manning attempted only 20 passes (completing 14) in Sunday's win over the San Diego Chargers. The Broncos' running backs did most of the heavy lifting, combining for 35 rushing attempts. C.J. Anderson led the way with a 29-85 line.

The script was much the same a week ago: 20 pass attempts for Manning, 26 rushing attempts by the team's running backs (and three rushing touchdowns by Anderson) and a narrow, hard-fought win.

When Manning hooked up with Demaryius Thomas for a 28-yard touchdown Sunday, it was his first touchdown pass in a 10-quarter span. He threw seven in one game and 55 in total a season ago.

It's not that the Broncos are necessarily trying to minimize Manning's role. A number of factors have combined to make it necessary, including unexpected game flow, injuries to several of the team's key receiving threats and, perhaps most notably, the increasingly apparent wear and tear on Manning's body.

On their own, those factors are unfortunate. Combined, they may result in a net positive for the Broncos. They have forced the team to step outside its comfort zone and learn to win games in a different way - one that's historically more conducive to success in January.

Stray Thoughts

• The Dallas Cowboys don't usually win big divisional games in December like this. We all whiffed badly on this team. No one had them as a legitimate contender before the season. 
• Three AFC teams clinched division titles Sunday: the Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, and New England Patriots. It feels like all three are in the playoffs every single season, doesn't it?
• Hands up if you thought the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars would be playing a meaningful game in December. Their Thursday night matchup could determine which team gets the first pick in the draft.
• A New Orleans Saints loss Monday would allow the 5-8-1 Carolina Panthers to control their playoff destiny. That ain't right.

Injury Ward

Recapping the day's most significant injuries. 

Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Texans
Broken leg. Out for the season
Rookie Tom Savage played in relief of Fitzpatrick but suffered an injury of his own (and is headed for an MRI on his knee). Might the Texans regret not trading back into round one to draft Teddy Bridgewater?

Russell Okung, LT, Seahawks
Chest injury. Treated and released from hospital. 
Okung isn't a premier left tackle, but the Seahawks' chances of repeating as Super Bowl champions take a big hit if he isn't able to protect Russell Wilson's blind side. 

Stat of the Week