Johnny Manziel Named Starting QB vs. Bengals: Latest Details and Reaction

The Cleveland Browns were already facing a stiff test working on a short week as they attempt to hand the Cincinnati Bengals their first loss of the season, and things are only going to get tougher now that Johnny Manziel is slated to start at quarterback for the injured Josh McCown.

On Wednesday, the Browns officially tabbed Manziel as the starter for Thursday night's showdown. On Tuesday, NFL Network's Rand Getlin first reported Cleveland was leaning toward starting the second-year signal-caller, with McCown continuing to battle sore ribs.

McCown has been ruled out and Austin Davis will serve as the backup, per Tom Reed of Cleveland.com.

"On the short week we realized that Josh just wasn't going to be able to get to the point where he could go," head coach Mike Pettine said. "Johnny has worked hard to prepare himself. He is excited about his opportunity, and we are all looking forward to the challenge we face in a good Bengals football team on Thursday night."

Aaron Josefczyk/Associated Press

Thursday's start will represent the fourth of Manziel's career. Incidentally, his first NFL start came last season in Week 15 against the Bengals. Cleveland lost that game 30-0, and Manziel finished with a mere 80 passing yards and two interceptions.

Manziel's QBR in last year's drubbing was 1.1, and according to ESPN Stats & Info, Cincinnati ranks No. 2 overall this season, allowing an opposing QBR of 41.4.

In four appearances this season—including a Week 2 start against the Tennessee Titans—Manziel has completed 56 percent of his passes for 393 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He's also run 10 times for a total of 42 yards.

The Bengals defense has allowed a 23rd-ranked 258 passing yards per game, but Manziel needs to be wary of their fearsome pass rush. Through seven games, Cincinnati has racked up 20 sacks and surrendered just seven yards per pass attempt (11th among all teams).

If the Browns hope to have a chance on the road against one of the AFC's elite, they will need to try to control the clock with a steady running game. However, they have racked up a 31st-ranked 84 yards per game on the ground to date.

David Richard/Associated Press

"We have not run the ball consistently," Pettine said Monday, per Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot. "You've got to win on early downs running the ball to avoid [3rd-and-long]. That's the challenge to the guys up front. That's the challenge to the backs, that's the challenge to the tight ends, everybody involved in the run game—that we can not be one-dimensional."

Manziel is 5-of-6 for 105 yards and a touchdown this season on 3rd-and-10 or longer, per Pro-Football-Reference, but that small sample size is hardly worth getting worked up over.

Cincinnati is equipped with the defense necessary to muddy up Manziel's working conditions in the pocket, so the possibility exists for him to struggle mightily in a hostile environment.

Given the inconsistency of his past efforts, it won't be a surprise if the 22-year-old fails to pull off the upset.

Stats courtesy of ESPN.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com unless noted otherwise.