Luck of the Draw

At 2-2, the Colts have been surprisingly competitive, led by rookie quarterback Andrew Luck

By Jeremy Philipson

After going 2-14 in 2011, the Indianapolis Colts won the “Luck Sweepstakes,” and drafted Andrew Luck first overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. The 2012 Colts was a team that many figured would not win more than five or six games this year. A new general manager, head coach and quarterback signaled a season of rebuilding in Indy. But, Luck and this team has done anything but rebuild. 

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy) 

After losing Peyton Manning for all of last year, and cutting ties with him in the late winter, the Colts needed a new face for their franchise. Enter Andrew Luck, Heisman-finalist and consensus number one overall pick. After being drafted, Luck was surrounded by media hype all summer. He was being touted as the best prospect since John Elway and the savior of the franchise.

Luck didn’t miss a beat transitioning from the college ranks to the NFL, showing promise in his first start. Although the Colts lost on the road to a veteran Chicago Bears team, Luck threw for 309 yards, 1 TD and 3 INTs.

His second start went better, getting his first NFL win and beating a surprisingly good Vikings team by throwing for 224 yards and 2 TDs without committing a turnover. This was the quarterback the scouts were salivating over, showing poise in the pocket and coming back from a tough loss the previous week.

Everything came together on Sunday, when Luck and the Colts came back from a 21-3 halftime deficit to beat the defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers. Luck finished with 362 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT, and led a game-winning drive, throwing a touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne with 35 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

The Colts have a favorable schedule over their next few weeks, facing a battered New York Jets team, then the winless Cleveland Browns, followed by the Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins, and Jacksonville Jaguars, all teams under .500. If Luck continues to grow and progress as a player, the Indianapolis Colts could make some noise in the division they once used to own.