Browns 10, 49ers 3

Johnny Manziel begins what may be his final opportunity with the league-worst Cleveland Browns when they host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

In his first start since being benched for two games because of off-the-field issues, Manziel showed off his mobility and the playmaking knack that made him “Johnny Football”, the Heisman Trophy victor at Texas A&M.

Of course, the other situation hanging over Manziel’s latest performance is speculation that these sporadic starts are mere showcases.

“Crowell was finding a rhythm, then I came in and found a rhythm”, said Johnson, who has 49 receptions. With the loss, the 49ers drop to 4-9. Barnidge ran a quick out route on the goal line and caught Manziel’s pass while being closely covered by safety Eric Reid to cap the eight-play, 78-yard march.

Helping Manziel move the offense was the run game, Isiah Crowell and Duke Johnson both had one of their better showings in todays game.

THE CROW FLIES: Crowell had runs of 54 and 50 yards as the Browns, who came in with the NFL’s worst rushing attack, rolled up 230 yards their most since 2010.

The Browns did it on a flawless mixture of the run and pass game as they piled up 481 yards of total offense.

MARKUP: Quinton Patton, the 49ers wide receiver, threw an awesome peelback block on Cleveland linebacker Craig Robertson when Gabbert took off on a right end scramble in the third quarter that netted five yards. The franchise record is 11 sacks.

-LB Nate Orchard had 18.5 sacks at the University of Utah last season.

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert was roughed up while throwing for 194 yards and a 6-yard TD to Jerome Simpson with 1:42 left. His rating was 96.4.

For the game, Johnny torched the 49ers defense for 270 yards on a 21-of-31 passing performance. After a week on the sidelines, the Browns got back to the business of determining if Manziel could be their quarterback of the future. He just needs to win one of Cleveland’s final three games or look good down that stretch.

The Browns bounced back after having a field goal blocked for the third consecutive game by producing a six-play, 84-yard scoring drive. That eventually might calm the angst over the reported $100,000 study of the quarterback position before the 2014 draft commissioned by the Browns that said they should select Bridgewater.

CLEVELAND (AP) – As a video tribute of his years with the Browns played on the stadium’s scoreboards, Phil Dawson patted his hand over his heart and choked back tears.

Manziel was given plenty of time to throw and pick out open receivers to build a 10-0 lead. He looked to have a good rapport with wide receiver Brian Hartline until he left with a collarbone injury. He will miss the rest of the season. Outside linebacker Aaron Lynch and tight end Vance McDonald sat out Sunday’s game due to concussions. The converted quarterback finished without a catch.

CLEVELAND – There was a sense all week long in Santa Clara, California, that the San Francisco 49ers were feeling themselves a little bit too much in the wake of an improbable overtime road victory against the Chicago Bears.