Cleveland Browns dominated by Bengals, lose 31-10

Nov 5, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) walks off the field in the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 31-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns never stood a chance on Thursday night. They never led, and a lack of talent all around led to the 31-10 defeat.

The main story heading in was Johnny Manziel starting the game at quarterback, and he actually did not play a bad game. He went 15-33 for 168 yards and a touchdown, along with no interceptions, but the offense just could not get anything going once again.

The lack of a running game put too much pressure on Manziel to produce without both Andrew Hawkins and Brian Hartline.

Manziel actually finished as the second-leading rusher with 31 yards, just behind Isaiah Crowell, who managed 38 yards on 10 carries.

Compare that with the 124 yards gained collectively by Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill and the difference between 8-0 and 2-7 becomes clear.

A bright spot in the game was Dwayne Bowe, who had his first catch of the season. In the ninth game of an NFL season.

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He finished with three catches for 31 yards and another giant payday.

The game was close at halftime, with the Browns trailing 14-10. Manziel led the offense on a 10-play, 92-yard drive finished off on a 12-yard pass to Duke Johnson right before the half.

Then the second half began and ended with the Browns having five possessions featuring four three-and-outs along with a turnover on downs at the end of the fourth quarter.

This did no favors for the defense who was already without Joe Haden and Donte Whitner.

The Browns are now 2-7 and heading into a long week. The question on everyone’s mind will be whether or not Mike Pettine will be the coach on Nov. 15 when the Browns take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

At this point in time it seems like firing him would do no good. The team is already at the bottom of the standings, and a coaching change now would probably not help a team that desperately needs more talent.

He led the Browns to a 7-9 record last season before Brian Hoyer collapsed, so he at least deserves another year to show that he can be successful. If they are 2-7 at this point next season, then go ahead and fire him. But doing it now would just be continuing a perpetual cycle of losing that begins with management and the decisions made at the top.

The schedule does not get any easier as the Browns have the Steelers in nine days, followed by a bye week then a Monday night contest against the Baltimore Ravens.

This may be Manziel’s team going forward, which means Pettine’s fate lies in his hands.