![Matt Moore is expected to start for the Miami Dolphins on Thursday. [Image Credit: Gregkeene/Wikimedia Commons]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/10/24/660x290/b_502x220x82/matt-moore-in-2006-image-via-httpscommonswikimediaorgwikifilematt-moore-spring-ball-2006-by-gregkeenejpg_1652203.jpg "Matt Moore is expected to start for the Miami Dolphins on Thursday. [Image Credit: Gregkeene/Wikimedia Commons]")
As it was first reported by ESPN, Jay Cutler will be sidelined for two to three weeks with some cracked ribs. This means veteran quarterback Matt Moore will start this Thursday night when Miami takes on Baltimore. The "We want Moore" chants heard in Miami a few weeks ago have come true. Moore is no stranger to this situation. He played all three of the Dolphins final regular season games of the 2016 NFL season when franchise quarterback Ryan Tannehill went down with a torn ACL. He managed to get two wins out of the final three and secured a playoff spot for Miami for the first time since 2008.
Miami fans are getting exactly what they want: a little "Moore".
Dealing with adversity
If there's one word that can sum up Miami's 2017 NFL season, it is adversity. Their first game was canceled because of Hurricane Irma and they traveled to London before playing a game at home. Not to mention the controversy of their offensive line coach. The team has stuck together and come out looking very strong on the defensive side of the ball posting up a four and two record so far; their best record at the start of a season since 2003. However, the same can't be said about their offense. Going into Sunday's game against New York, Miami was ranked 32nd in points per game, total yards per game, and hadn't scored a touchdown in the first half.
The quarterback position has also been met with adversity and this is Moore's time to prove, he was the right man all along. Matt Moore came in with the Dolphins down by 14 and managed to score 17 unanswered to secure a second straight come from behind victory.
Matt Moore put up 188 yards, two touchdowns and an interception through a quarter and a half of play and seemed to ignite an atrocious offense.
The team's performance was once again highlighted by the incredible defense. Miami's defense is bolstered with big names like Cameron Wake, Ndamukong Suh, Andre Branch, and recently acquired William Hayes. This studded defensive line is the heart and soul of this team and seems to be getting better every week. Cameron Wake already has six sacks this season and Andre Branch is the second closest on the team with three.
Talent
The defense isn't just bolstered by the line, the depth chart is teeming with talent. Their first round draft pick Charles Harris is slowly coming into his own but they also got some late round steals in Vincent Taylor and Davon Godchaux. They addressed a paper thin line-backer core by adding the likes of Lawrence Timmons and Rey Maualuga who have made an immediate impact in keeping Miami as a top ten defense in the league. Miami is currently ranked tenth in total yards per game allowing 308 and ranked seventh in total points allowed, averaging 18.7. Miami has a defense to boast about lately and if they can just stay healthy and get more turnovers, this squad will keep them in every game this season and they should have a field day on Joe Flacco who is struggling like a fish out of water.
Miami also has one of the richest rosters on offense featuring the likes of star wide out Jarvis Landry, Devante Parker, and possibly the most dangerous slot receiver in the NFL, Kenny Stills. Not to mention the work horse of Jay Ajayi, who's success has been well documented during his heroic sophomore rise. The talent is there and Matt Moore can most certainly take advantage of and most coordinators would kill for either the offensive or defensive rosters. The question still remains, when will Jay Ajayi finally break out? The stud from Boise State still has yet to get a rushing touchdown this year and hopefully that changes this week against a struggling Baltimore Ravens team.
Been there, done that
Matt Moore is no stranger to playing second fiddle, he's done it his entire career. Always the groomsman but never the groom. It seems Matt Moore picked up right where he left off from last season when he threw eight touchdowns to only three interceptions while having a two and one record. Miami seems that they can rely on him when the pressure is high and he delivers. Miami is desperate for any kind of offensive output, as they're ranked thirty-first out of thirty-two teams, they average just 15.3 points per game. They're ranked thirty in passing yards per game averaging only 180.2 and only a thirty percent conversion rate on third downs.
Although head coach Adam Gase may have a colorful history with Jay Cutler, if Matt Moore can come in and produce at a high level like he did against New York, he may be the starter for the rest of the season.
Numbers don't lie and points mean wins. Wins are crucial in a very competitive AFC East. So the question is, will Matt Moore deliver? In a word, yes. He's a talented quarterback who never got his time to shine. Hopefully, Miami gets a big win over Baltimore on Thursday night.
