Brian Hoyer will be the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, coach Mike Pettine announced Wednesday.
Hoyer, who was replaced by rookie Duke Johnson Jr. in the fourth quarter of last week's game at Buffalo, has started the Browns' previous 12 games and helped position the team in the thick of the AFC playoff race. Cleveland is 7-5 this season and 10-5 overall with Hoyer as the starter.
"After thorough evaluation and talking to the staff, we feel Brian gives us the best opportunity to win on Sunday," Pettine said. "This is a football decision and those are always going to be based on what we think is best for our team. Brian has led our team to a 7-5 record. I'm confident that we can get the entire offense playing at the level needed to accomplish the goals we set at the beginning of the season. Those goals are still very much attainable."
Hoyer was adamant in interviews Sunday and Monday that he was the right quarterback to lead the Browns to their first playoff appearance in more than 10 years.
"I don't have any doubt in myself," Hoyer said Monday. "I never have throughout this entire process, going back to last year. I feel like we're 7-5. We still have a chance to attain all of our goals. It's still there in front of us."
Hoyer, a six-year veteran, has completed 56.2 percent of his passes for 3,056 yards with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season.
More coverage of Pettine's decision to come throughout the day on ClevelandBrowns.com.
