Jan 5, 2017 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – The AFC playoffs are a contrast in haves and have nots at the quarterback position.

The quarterbacks for the top three seeds – New England, Kansas City and Pittsburgh – have combined to start 53 playoff games.

The bottom three? Each will be starting a quarterback who will be making his first career postseason start.

But there’s inexperience and then there is a lack of playoff experience.

Oakland’s Connor Cook, the team’s third-stringer, will become the first quarterback in the Super Bowl era to make his first career start in a playoff game when the Raiders play at Houston Saturday for their wild card game.

Miami’s Matt Moore? He’s been in the NFL for 10 seasons, mostly as a backup.

Moore has made 28 career starts, including the past three in place of injured Ryan Tannehill. The Dolphins announced Thursday that Moore will start his fourth consecutive game when Miami plays at Pittsburgh Sunday in an opening-round playoff game.

Though Moore has never started a postseason game, he was a member of the Carolina Panthers in 2008 when they reached the playoffs.

“It’s an unbelievable opportunity,” said Moore, who has a career passer rating of 82.0. “Some guys go a lot and some don’t get those chances. This is my second time being a part of a team that has gone to the playoffs, so I’m excited. I know the guys are excited. It’s an unbelievable opportunity and a great football town, so we’re ready to go.”

Moore has played well in place of Tannehill, completing 63 percent of his passes with eight touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s also been sacked only one time in 87 pass attempts. He’s 15-13 in his starts, giving the Dolpins the rare NFL backup who has a winning record.

“You have to acknowledge that Moore is a savvy veteran,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “He’s one of those backups who you really are concerned about, because their experience belies their position. We’ve seen other guys like that in the past. But you also have to acknowledge that (Miami offensive coordinator) Clyde Christensen and company – they do a great job of schematically aiding the quarterback position in terms of protecting it. Whether it’s pocket movement or spreading you out and quick passing, they do a nice job schematically protecting the position.”

The Steelers did not have a sack against the Dolphins in a 30-15 loss at Miami Oct. 16. That wasn’t unusual for Pittsburgh at that time. The Steelers had only eight sacks in their first seven games, including four games without a sack.

Despite that slow start, the Steelers enter the postseason with more sacks (38) than any other team in the AFC playoff field. New England had 36, Miami 35, Houston 31, Kansas City 28 and Oakland 25. The Raiders’ sack total was the worst in the NFL.

After allowing Miami running back Jay Ajayi to rush for 204 yards in the previous meeting, the Steelers are intent on not allowing that to occur again. They also know they must pressure Moore.

“We’ve got to be a good defense in terms of stopping the run and forcing them to pass, and then getting after them when they do pass,” said Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler.

If the Steelers’ defense can get to Moore, something that’s been difficult thus far, they might have a path to success. If not, they could be in for another long day against the Dolphins.

“We’ve got to be able to pressure the quarterback,” said defensive end Stephon Tuitt, who will return to the lineup after missing two games with a knee injury.

“We’ve got to be physical and let him know we’re out there. If we can do that, we’ll win this game.”

Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for December after rushing for 569 yards and gaining 748 yards from scrimmage in four games. … Tight end Ladarius Green (concussion) was a full participant in practice for the second consecutive day. Linebacker Anthony Chickillo (ankle), defensive end Ricardo Mathews (ankle) and linebacker Vince Williams (shoulder) did not practice Thursday.