The Miami Dolphins have two major playmakers at their disposal on Sunday and Matt Moore needs to use them if he wants to beat New England.
The Miami Dolphins chances against the New England Patriots may have taken a huge hit for Sunday as starting quarterback Jay Cutler has been ruled out with a concussion per multiple reports. As a result, backup quarterback Matt Moore will come in and make the start for Miami.
Moore has appeared in three games this season, recording 646 passing yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. The one time Moore has started a game this season it did not go well. He threw two interceptions as the Dolphins were routed 40-0 by the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football back on Oct.26.
If there is one thing Moore does have going for him heading into Sunday’s game, it is his recent success against New England. Filling in for Ryan Tannehill, Moore went 24-of-34 on the afternoon, throwing for 205 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in a 35-14 loss to the Patriots on New Year’s Day.
Even with Moore under center, Miami should be fine. After all, he did come in for Cutler when the latter’s concussion occurred against the Buccaneers last week. Moore has to make sure he makes Miami’s stars a focal point of the gameplan. Especially against a New England defense that is prone to giving up both the long ball and a high amount of passing yards, this should be a top priority.
Look no further than your two star receivers. Jarvis Landry is the team’s leading wideout and is one of the top possession threats in the NFL. Kenny Stills, the team’s second-leading receiver is looking to ride the momentum off of a huge day Sunday where he caught seven passes for 180 yards. Landry has caught 67 passes for 567 yards and six touchdowns up to this point. Stills has 40 catches for 588 yards and two touchdowns.
Breaking it down further, two of Landry’s catches have gone for a gain of 20 yards or more while one has gone for 40 yards or more. Perhaps even more eye-opening, 37 catches have gone for a first down. Stills has perhaps had even better production. He has caught nine passes for 20 yards or more and two passes of 40 yards or more. 26 of Stills’ catches have gone for a first down, signifying that he is perhaps one of the better second options in the league.
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If there is one certainty about both Landry and Stills, it is that they are dependable. Moore should look to them to make plays. Feed them the ball, and see what they can do with it. They are going up against a Patriots defense that ranks first in the entire league in passing yards allowed per game with 282. There are bound to be very good opportunities for both Moore and these wideouts to make plays and there should be no hesitation in seizing every opportunity.
Will the Dolphins still have their hands full? Yes, after all they still have Tom Brady to deal with. However, if they can follow a blueprint like this (granted it is easier said than done), they have a shot to make some noise in Foxborough.