Cleveland Browns

Browns' Johnny Manziel posts best statistical output in loss to Steelers

Published Nov. 15, 2015 5:50 p.m. ET

foxsports

After an inauspicious first snap, Johnny Manziel staked his claim to the Browns' starting quarterback job with the best performance of his career in Sunday's 30-9 loss in Pittsburgh.

Manziel, who had the ball slip out of his hands for a fumble on his first play from scrimmage, completed 33 of 45 passes 372 yards and a touchdown with one interception. Manziel should've had one more touchdown, but his quick slant to Travis Benjamin was dropped in the end zone in the fourth quarter.

With the Browns unable to move the ball on the ground once again, Manziel had to do most of the heavy lifting. His 17 yards rushing were a team-high, six of which came on this ridiculous spin move on Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier.

Johnny Football in trouble in the pocket? Time for Johnny SPIN-MOVE on the scramble. #CLEvsPIT https://t.co/0lDWbaGzTr
— NFL (@NFL) November 15, 2015

That play came on Manziel's best drive of the day, a 15-play, 79-yard march that was wasted after he was ruled just shy of the goal line on this unbelievable 11-yard scramble that looked like a touchdown as it happened.

Johnny Manziel escapes incredible pressure, flashes some crazy moves and falls JUST short of the goal line #CLEvsPIT https://t.co/okgJOv1ENU
— NFL (@NFL) November 15, 2015

After two penalties and a sack pushed Cleveland back 24 yards, Manziel's desperation throw on fourth down was picked off.

The Browns were able to get the ball right back on Jordan Poyer's interception of Ben Roethlisberger, leading to this 7-yard touchdown pass from Manziel to tight end Gary Barnidge that made it 24-9.

JOHNNY TOUCHDOWN: Perfect pass. Perfect touch. Perfect accuracy.#CLEvsPIT https://t.co/nKGlOC118X
— NFL (@NFL) November 15, 2015

After Antonio Browns's 56-yard catch and run to the end zone, Manziel moved Cleveland right back down the field, but the drive stalled at the Pittsburgh 5 with four straight incompletions, including the one drop by Benjamin of a sure touchdown.

All in all, it was a solid day for Manziel , who more than doubled his previous career high of 182 passing yards. In fact, if he gets those two touchdowns late, his day would have been virtually identical to Roethlisberger's.