Stats Prove QB Whisperer Andy Reid Did it Again With Veteran Matt Moore in Patrick Mahomes Absence
By Michael Luciano
Plenty of NFL coordinators and head coaches can fool owners by erroneously claiming to be "quarterback whisperers" (see Gase, Adam), but Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is one of the few that can back up his reputation with continued excellence on the field, even with a backup quarterback in the mix.
Patrick Mahomes might have been sidelined with a knee injury against the Minnesota Vikings, but you wouldn't have known that looking at the box score, as Matt Moore was dialed in. In his 2.5 game stint as the starter, Moore has four touchdowns and no picks, and has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league while he's been starting.
#Chiefs QB Matt Moore has contributed in an unlikely way
— PFF KC Chiefs (@PFF_Chiefs) November 4, 2019
• Pressured Passer Rating: 139.6 (1st, 2nd: R.Wilson 112.5)
• Deep Passer Rtg: 149.3 (1st, 2nd: R.Wilson 135.6)
• Play Action Passer Rtg: 138.7 (4th behind G.Minshew, R.Wilson, & J.Winston)#ChiefsKingdom
Reid isn't just dinking and dunking with the veteran backup. Moore was still uncorking deep passes down the field, even finding Tyreek Hill for a 40-yard touchdown early in the game.
It may not be Mahomes-level, but Moore is playing possibly the best football of his long career.
Matt Moore will never have to pay for beer or BBQ in Kansas City again.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) November 3, 2019
A backup forever in Miami, Moore's career numbers (49 TDs, 36 picks, 7.1 YPA) show that he's a cut above most backup quarterbacks. Under Reid, Moore is starting to look like Len Dawson in the pocket.