Patriots plan

Moore to face biggest defensive challenge

New England could focus on Dolphins passing game.

DAVIE — Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore has been splendid in his two-plus games replacing injured starter Ryan Tannehill. Moore has six touchdowns, two interceptions and a 113.4 passer rating (Atlanta’s Matt Ryan leads the NFL at 115.5).

But now, Moore faces New England coach Bill Belichick, regarded as a defensive wizard, a guy with a reputation for being able to devise schemes to take away the best offensive weapons and exploit the biggest offensive weaknesses.

So there’s a chance Belichick could design a defense to stop Moore and the Dolphins’ explosive passing game.

The Dolphins, with their big-yardage, medium-yardage and short-yardage receivers, say they’re ready.

“I think we have receivers that are capable of making plays,” wide receiver Kenny Stills said. “We know what we are. We’ve got receivers that try to be as all-around as possible. You see us getting involved in the run game, you see us making those third and short plays. Whatever coach asks us to do, we’re going to try to do.”

Belichick acknowledged the dangers of the Dolphins’ offense earlier this week.

“This is as explosive of an offense as we’ve seen all year,” he said.

Moore, who always seems to have a cool, calm, humble demeanor, isn’t concerning himself with Belichick or Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, however.

“I’m sure they’re going to do what they do best, and they’re going to do what they

think is going to stop this offense,” Moore said. “I doubt I’ll have a lot to do with it. We’re going to move forward that way.”

There’s reason to believe Moore might not be the focal point of the New England defense.

After all, running back Jay Ajayi (1,213 yards) is the biggest threat. Not only does Ajayi provide the bulk of the power for the offense, he opens up the play action pass, which is also a huge part of the offensive success.

“With their strong running game,” Belichick said, “they do a good job of wearing teams down in the fourth [quarter].”

But here’s the thing: New England is ranked No. 3 in the NFL against the run (89.5 yards per game), so it might not need a tweak or shift of its focus to contain Ajayi.

That could allow the Belichick to save his defensive twist or wrinkle for defending Moore. Perhaps it’s an exotic blitz package, or perhaps it’s dropping an extra man into pass coverage.

“They’re going to try to take away what we do well,” Dolphins coach Adam Gase said. “The game is going to have changes within it; they’ll adjust if they need to throughout the game.

“That’s why they’re a very good coaching staff…that’s what they’ve made a living on for over a decade is being the type of staff that can affect the game.”

The Dolphins take comfort that Moore, an eightyear veteran, seems to be able to decipher tough situations.

“He takes control of the huddle,” right guard Jermon Bushrod said.

And Moore does it in a way that offers confidence to his teammates.

“He’s a ‘Cali’ guy,” Bushrod said, refering to California. “They’re good, laidback dudes. I feel him. I understand him.”

Using Ajayi as the starting point of the offense is the ideal, and it worked in last week’s 34-31 overtime victory at Buffalo, when Ajayi rushed for 206 yards. So that’s why New England might lean that way defensively.

But the previous week, in the 34-13 victory at the New York Jets, Moore did the offensive damage by throwing for four touchdowns.

So there’s a chance the Patriots decide to focus on Moore.

No opponent has focused on stopping Moore and the passing game in the last three weeks.

New England, with its already-stout run defense, could turn its attention to shutting down the Dolphins’ big-play passing game, however.

In five of the Dolphins’ last seven games they’ve had a touchdown pass of at least 28 yards, including each of the past three games, when Moore hit wide receiver DeVante Parker for 56 yards (Buffalo), wide receiver Jarvis Landry for 66 yards (New York Jets), and Tannehill hit Stills for 28 yards (Arizona).

Landry, Stills and Parker form a big-play trio that must be watched.

“These three guys can go 50 [yards] at any time,” Dolphins offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen said. “They can go 50 with a diagonal. They can go 50 with a hook, break three tackles and go 50. They can run by you for 50. It’s unique how they can get their 50-yard plays.”

Belichick might realize that, too.

Moore