Matt Moore leads Dolphins to 31-28 victory after injury to Jay Cutler
The Miami Dolphins might be in good shape if they have to rely on Matt Moore awhile longer.
After Jay Cutler exited Sunday’s game against the New York Jets with a chest injury, Moore took over with the Dolphins trailing 21-14 in the third quarter as the Jets looked to pile on. Instead, Moore rallied Miami and shocked New York with a late comeback for a 31-28 victory. Moore could start a while longer too; after the game an ESPN report said Cutler had cracked ribs and could miss 2-3 weeks.
Moore’s final line: 13 for 21, 188 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. And, most important, a big ‘W’ for a Miami team still contending for the AFC East title after seven weeks.
Things didn’t get immediately better for the Dolphins once Moore entered the game. The backup QB was picked off on his first full drive and the Jets responded with a seven-play touchdown drive. And things looked even worse after the next Miami drive ended with a punt after four plays.
Then Moore settled down. Back-to-back touchdown drives pulled Miami into a tie at 28 and put all the pressure on the Jets.
They did not handle it well.
Josh McCown was in command of what could’ve been a game-winning drive for New York but instead turned into another blunder for a franchise notorious for them. McCown threw an interception with 47 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter that put Miami back in control at New York’s 17-yard line.
Miami kicker Cody Parkey nailed the game-winning kick with ease.
Still, none of it would’ve been possible without the work of Moore. On his two TD drives, the guy who hadn’t played a snap of regular-season ball this year went 6-for-10 passing with 98 yards.
The Dolphins are now 4-2, on a three-game win streak and get a regressing Ravens team on Thursday night in Week 8.
If Cutler’s status is still in doubt by then, at least the Dolphins will know they have another QB ready to lead them.
Fans in Miami have been asking to play Moore for some time now. Cutler has thrown only seven touchdowns this year with five interceptions. He appears as apathetic as ever and had given Dolphins coaches just enough of a reason to remain the starter. Moore’s play might have raised the bar a bit more, and it will surprise no one if they stick with him.
If anything, he might be exactly what Miami needs.
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Blake Schuster is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at blakeschuster@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Schustee
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