Brian Hoyer has established himself as the Browns’ new Kardiac Kid after his own little Music City Miracle here.
“I think our fans are excited,” said Hoyer. “Hopefully none of them are at the ER right now.”
His coach almost was, after Hoyer orchestrated the biggest comeback in the history of the Browns. He overcame a 28-3 deficit in the second quarter and put 26 unanswered points on the board to defeat the Tennessee Titans, 29-28. The previous biggest comeback was from 20 points down against the Giants — in 1966.
“I think a lot of teams would’ve shut it down given what we faced at halftime,” coach Mike Pettine. “I did tell them after the game they have to stop doing it. I have an EKG scheduled for tomorrow because my heart can’t take many more of these.”
Hoyer threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to receiver Travis Benjamin in the final 6:49 to put the game away, including the game-winning 6-yarder with 1:09 remaining. On the final drive, which started at the Titans’ 42 with 3:03 remaining, Hoyer completed all three of his passes for 35 yards, including the TD to Benjamin in the back left corner of the end zone.
The victory improved Hoyer to 5-2 as a starter for the Browns, including three two-minute game-winning drives.
“I think his poise was pivotal for us,” said Pettine. “I think that calming influence in the huddle, he was never out of sorts. We guys came on the sideline they knew what the adjustments were when they missed a play.
“Guys never turned on each other, the O never turned on the D and that’s what being a team is about. For us to have that type of quality leader on offense is why we are where we are.”
Hoyer, who finished the game with 292 yards, three touchdown passes and one interception for a 98.0 rating, never flinched when the Browns fell behind 28-3.
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