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Preview via Bleacher Report
Two decisions made by the Cleveland Browns this week ensured that theMinnesota Vikingswill now have no excuse for failing to secure their first win of 2013 during Sunday's home opener.
In selecting Brian Hoyer to start at quarterback and dealing away running back Trent Richardson, the Browns have mostly depleted their ability to attack at positions that have hurt the Vikings during a 0-2 start.
Hoyer, a 27-year-old journeyman with one career NFL start, was picked over the veteran Jason Campbell to replace BrandonWeeden (thumb) early Wednesday. Only hours later, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Richardson had been traded to the Indianapolis Colts for a first-round pick.
The winless Vikings were favorites in Week 3 before Wednesday. Cleveland's two decisions should now seal the deal.
At the very least, a Herculean effort will now be necessary to see the 0-2 Browns upset the Vikings—a 2012 playoff team—in Minnesota's home opener.
While a number of reasons exist for why the Vikings are without a win this season, the defense's inability to handle quarterbacks and running backs has certainly contributed.
A 10-point loss to the Detroit Lionsin Week 1 saw Minnesota commit four turnovers and finish 2-for-10 on third downs. But the defense also gave up 357 yards and two touchdowns to quarterbackMatthew Stafford, and running back Reggie Bush racked up 191 total yards, including 101 receiving.
Overall, the Vikings allowed the Lions to run 77 plays for 469 yards, pick up 28 first downs and score 34 points. Stafford and Bush led the offensive assault.
| Cmp/Att | Yrds | TD/INT | Rating | |
| MIN vs. QBs | 55/81 | 649 | 5/3 | 97.2 |
| Att/Yrd | Rec/Yrd | Total Yrd | TDs | |
| MIN vs. RBs | 49/203 | 19/241 | 444 | 3 |
Source: ESPN
A strikingly similar storyline played out in Chicago last Sunday.
Christian Ponder threw a first-half pick-six, and the offense went 0-for-3 in the red zone late in the game. But on defense, the Vikings allowed 161 total yards to Bears running back Matt Forte, and quarterbackJay Cutler threw one of his three touchdowns passes to beat Minnesota in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter.
In just two games, the Vikings have allowed 649 yards and five touchdown passes to opposing quarterbacks, and a ridiculous 444 total yards (241 receiving) to opposing running backs. The result has been a defense that is now giving up 32.5 points (30th in NFL) and 440 yards (29th) a game.
| Total | Rank | |
| Yards/Game | 440.0 | 28th |
| Pts/Game | 32.5 | 30th |
| Pass Yards/Game | 320.5 | 26th |
| RB Yards/Game | 222.0 | 32nd |
Source: ESPN
The Browns offense should provide a much-needed break from each position.
Even with Weeden healthy and Richardson still on the roster, Cleveland averaged just 275 total yards of offense (28th) and 8.0 points (31st) over games againstMiami and in Baltimore. Only the futile Jacksonville Jaguars were worse at putting points on the board during the season's first two weeks.
With Weeden nursing a bad thumb, the Browns will now turn to Hoyer in hopes of engineering an offensive turnaround.
The Cleveland native has played for four teams (Browns, Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers andNew England Patriots) over five under-the-radar seasons in the NFL. His 96 career passes have resulted in 616 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions and a passer rating of just 72.2.
Matt Sullivan/Getty Images
Hoyer will make the start in Minnesota Sunday.
Hoyer's lone NFL start came in 2012 with the Cardinals. Facing the San Francisco 49ers, who needed a win in Week 17 to clinch the NFC West and the No. 2 seed in the postseason, Hoyer completed 19 of 34 passes for 225 yards, one touchdown and one interception (73.8).
While the Cardinals received much better quarterback play from Hoyerthan anyone could have reasonably expected, Arizona still trailed for the final 37 minutes of the game. And at one point in the fourth quarter, the 49ers were up by three touchdowns, 27-6.
Hoyer shouldn't be expected to play considerably worse than Weeden, who has completed less than 55 percent of his passes with three interceptions to start this season.Weeden's passer rating of 62.0 is better than only Geno Smith (55.2) and Blaine Gabbert (30.8) among starting quarterbacks in 2013.
But Hoyer also can't be expected to be on par with either Stafford or Cutler, two quarterbacks who sliced and diced the Minnesota secondary at times over Weeks 1 and 2. IfHoyer goes off, the Vikings will have much bigger problems.
Complicating Hoyer's start Sunday is the loss of Richardson, who previously represented one of the Browns' few offensive weapons. In 15 games as a rookie, the former No. 3 overall pick rushed for 950 yards and 11 touchdowns, and also caught 51 passes.
And here is some info on HOYER
(Via ESPN)
BEREA, Ohio -- Third-string quarterback Brian Hoyer will start for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings in place of injured Brandon Weeden, who sprained his right thumb last week and could be sidelined for several games.
First-year coach Rob Chudzinski surprisingly decided to start Hoyer over more experienced backup Jason Campbell. Hoyer had been listed as Cleveland's third-string quarterback since training camp opened and was inactive for the first two regular-season games.
"I feel like based on our current situation -- where we're at offensively as well as getting into the game planning for Minnesota -- that Brian's strengths are the best fit for this week and that he gives us our best chance to win," Chudzinski said. "The things that he does well fit what we need. For me, it's about who gives us the best chance to win."
In a stunning move later Wednesday, the Browns traded running back Trent Richardson to theIndianapolis Colts for a first-round pick.
Chudzinski did not commit to giving the starting job to Weeden when he returns from injury.
"I'm going to leave all the options open," Chudzinski said. "Really, it's a matter of where he's at from a health standpoint and all that plays into it and where we're at and how guys are playing, as well."
When he was Cleveland's offensive coordinator in 2007, Chudzinski oversaw the benching of starter Charlie Frye after the opener for Derek Anderson. The change sparked the Browns, who finished 10-6.
Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas called Hoyer leap-frogging Campbell on the depth chart "unusual." Hoyer will be the 19th quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999.
Weeden injured his thumb when he banged it on the helmet of teammate John Greco during the fourth quarter of Sunday's 14-6 loss to Baltimore. The second-year player will visit a hand specialist on Thursday and should get a better sense of how long he will be out.
(Via Bleacher Report)
Here's a look at what the Vikings need to game-plan for in this Week 3 matchup against the Browns.
When the Vikings Have the Ball...
Normally this would be a simple call—line up, snap the ball, give it toAdrian Peterson and repeat. However, Peterson has struggled to get on track this season averaging only 96.5 yards per game—right, only. For any other player not named Peterson this might be a very good average, considering it projects to 1,544 yards in the season.
As well, the Browns defense has been very stingy giving up running yards. It has yielded an average of 59.5 rushing yards per game—of course that is skewed badly by giving up only 20 yards to the Miami Dolphins in Week 1.
Peterson didn't hit full speed last season until the fourth week. That was when he first surpassed the 100-yard mark in a game. Like last season, he did not run the ball at all during the preseason, but this year he is completely healthy.
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Look for his breakout game to come a little earlier this year. The game is on the fast surface of Mall of America Field, and the Browns have not faced the likes of Peterson yet this year.
The key is to not give up on Peterson—as the games wears on he gets stronger as the defense gets weaker. Peterson should have a nice blend of his first two games, with a good chunk of yardage and a couple of touchdowns.
Interestingly enough, the Vikings have averaged 226 passing yards per game and the Browns have given up 226 passing yards per game. So, of course, that means the Vikings should end up with 226 passing yards—expect more than that.
(MORE FROM BLEACHER REPORT)
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