Can Moore turn into the Falcons’ eraser?

Late in the 2007 season, the Colts’ defense was leaking yardage – much as the Falcons have this season. After Sanders returned from injury, the unit became stingy and held up during their Super Bowl run.

With the hard-hitting Moore back in the lineup, the Falcons went from surrendering 162 rushing yards against the Cleveland Browns to just 35 against the Arizona Cardinals. The unit was giving up 409.9 yards per game, but held the Cardinals to a more respectable 329.

Moore, who missed seven games with a shoulder injury, was familiar with Sanders’ story. He hopes to have a similar transformative impact on the Falcons.

“I have high expectations for myself,” said Moore, who went to the Pro Bowl as an alternate after the 2012 season. “One man is not going to be the difference in winning and losing, but I’m trying to bring something that can help the team.”

Moore is the team’s biggest hitter as Cardinals wide receiver Jaron Brown discovered.

“It was one of those plays where I had an opportunity,” Moore said. “I saw the opportunity. But I definitely thought about it. I wanted to make sure that it was legal.”

During the 2013 season Moore was fined $75,550 for four different hits. He appealed those fines and some were reduced.

“I’m proud of myself because I didn’t get a flag on that play,” Moore said. “That was more important to me. I’ve been working on playing within the rules and that’s what I’m proud about; I didn’t cost the team 15 yards. That was huge.”

Moore knows that the unit is facing a much stiffer test when they travel to Green Bay to face Aaron Rodgers and the 9-3 Packers at Lambeau Field. The Falcons are the heaviest underdog in the league for Week 13 at 11 1/2 points.

“We know what we are getting,” Moore said. “We went there last year and we know what time it is. We have to face the weather. We have to face the excellent quarterback, one of the best quarterbacks in the league. We are willing to step up to that challenge. I can’t wait.”

Moore played all 55 of the defensive snaps against the Cardinals. He had four tackles and one forced fumble. He stripped the ball from Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd and Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant recovered.

“It was great to have William back,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “He’s a playmaker.”

Moore’s play was infectious for the defense, which had descended to being last in the league total yards and played a major role in the 2-5 slide while he was out.

He didn’t want to take credit for the drastic improvement in the defensive numbers. The Falcons were facing journeyman quarterback Drew Stanton, who was making just his 10th career NFL start.

“It wasn’t just me,” Moore said. “Our team did awesome job, that’s why we won.”

While rehabbing his shoulder, Moore watched as the team voted linebacker Paul Worrilow and defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux as defensive captains after the collapse in London. If Moore would have been healthy, they likely would place the blocked “C” on his jersey.

“It was very tough from a leadership standpoint,” Moore said. “I want to be a leader on this team and I can’t do that from the sidelines.”

Moore, who was drafted in the second round out of Missouri in 2009, did attend film sessions and stayed around the defensive backs.

“Of course, you can try to motivate guys as much as you can, but if you’re not out there with them and you’re not going to war with them, it doesn’t hold that much impact,” Moore said. “To be back out there has been great.”

The Packers are coming off a huge home win over the New England Patriots. They are trying to secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC so that all playoffs roads to the Super Bowl in Phoenix will travel through the Lambeau Field.

Moore warned not to count the Falcons out against the Packers.

“I know what our team is capable of,” Moore said.