It may be time for Johnny Football in Cleveland.

Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine has hinted that quarterback Johnny Manziel may get his first NFL start on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Current starter Brian Hoyer has struggled in his last three games, throwing seven interceptions and no touchdowns. Pettine is expected to make a decision by Wednesday and hasn't committed to a quarterback yet.

"I think it's natural to lean the other way, given the results," Pettine said to reporters Monday. "I still want to make sure we do our due diligence and get a chance to talk to everybody involved with it."

Cleveland is in the middle of the AFC playoff race with a 7-6 record and switching to Manziel could be a last-ditch effort to make a run towards the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

"We're in a results business," Pettine said. "We've lost two in a row. We all know what the numbers have been in the pass game. For us to be successful they have to improve."

Pettine did his best to remain diplomatic and offered a tepid defense of Hoyer.

"When you go back and watch the tape, I think there are clearly some throws that (Hoyer) missed. But I think it was also exaggerated by how poorly we were in the pass game around him.

"We always say that a quarterback is only as good as his supporting cast. When the guys around him play well, Brian will play well. It's rare that there's a quarterback who can transcend his supporting cast."

Pettine confirmed that the Manziel - a former Heisman Trophy winner - would be ready if called upon. One way or another, the final three games of the Browns' season will be appointment viewing.