Miami Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore managed to turn the ball over three times in nine plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card Round.
The Miami Dolphins finally made their return to the playoffs on Sunday, but it wasn’t under the conditions that they were hoping. They went into their battle against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card Round with backup quarterback Matt Moore under center.
While Moore took some huge shots and showed incredible toughness to stay in the game, he also went on an improbable turnovers streak. In a span of just nine plays, Moore somehow managed to turn the ball over three times, which would lead to 10 points for the Steelers and the game being put out of reach.
The first turnover came at the end of the first half, when Moore would be sacked by James Harrison and he would fumble the ball. Unfortunately for Miami, that would lead to the end of the half and their chance at making the game closer would end right there.
Get the sack.
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2017
AND Force the fumble.
👏👏👏 @jharrison9292. #HereWeGo #NFLPlayoffs https://t.co/ckXnm0eyY3
After being absolutely rocked to start the second half, Moore would once again have trouble hanging onto the football and he would fumble again. Pittsburgh would recover and would get a field goal out of his turnover to begin the second half.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/818186336720994305
Finally, Moore would complete the trifecta and would throw an interception right to Ryan Shazier. The standout linebacker would take it away in Miami territory and a penalty on a field goal would allow Le’Veon Bell to punch it in for a touchdown.
.@RyanShazier drops back into coverage...
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2017
Reads the QB.
And gets the PICK. #HereWeGo #NFLPlayoffs https://t.co/OpPaT2xcAP
Turnovers are the worst possible thing that can happen for a team in the playoffs. It’s hard enough winning on the road but to turn the ball over repeatedly and gift an experienced team like the Steelers points is a decision that won’t end well.
Every year there is that quarterback that gets blown up in a matter of plays and this year it was Moore in the Wild Card Round. Give him credit for taking some hits but he just could not hold onto the football when his teammates needed him to.