Anyone who has watched the NFL the last two seasons would not have been surprised at the amazing play of Andrew Luck on the weekend.
Luck led his team to a 45-44 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs despite a 28-point deficit early in the third quarter.
Andrew Luck was drafted into the toughest position in football (besides whoever will eventually replace Bill Belicheck) when he was taken number one overall in the 2013 NFL Draft to replace Peyton Manning.
The expectations of being a number one pick are already high but replacing arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history adds just a small bit of pressure to that role.
Since the decision to draft Luck many analysts and football fans have questioned the Colts decision to release Manning and go with Luck.
Mostly famous for being taken one spot before RG3, neck beards and this hit on Dawan Landry, Luck is making the case to be considered a top five quarterback in the NFL.
Already in his brief career that spans 32 regular season games and two post season appearances Luck, per Scott Kacsmar of Pro Football Reference, has staged eight fourth quarter comebacks and has had 11 game winning drive.
Since the 2006 season, only two quarterbacks have a higher Total QBR rating in the fourth quarter than Andrew Luck’s 74.9. He only trails Peyton Manning (86.5) and Aaron Rodgers (76.5).
Not only does Luck make plays through the air, his ability on the ground is vastly underrated. He is one of the most efficient runners of the football in the entire NFL.
Excluding kneel downs, Luck averages 8.7 yards a carry on the ground the highest among all quarterbacks in the NFL.
Lucks ability on the ground was the best in the league among quarterbacks last season converting a third down run for a touchdown or first down 82 percent of the time. Newton (61%), Wilson (55%) and Griffin (50%) rounded up the top four.
Last season Luck also finished second among quarterbacks behind Ben Roethlisberger on third and long conversions (eight yards or more) converting 31 of 73 conversions.
This season Luck finished with 23 touchdowns compared to just nine interceptions. Peyton Manning had only thrown for less than that once in his career.
Lucks season has been more than just luck; he has overcome a vast amount of injuries (Reggie Wayne, Dwayne Allen, Donald Thomas, and Vick Ballard) and changes (Trent Richardson trade and many new undrafted wide receivers) but has still managed to lead the Colts to the playoffs and his first playoff victory.
His first playoff victory could not have been written any better. The comeback victory was the second largest comeback in NFL playoff history.
Luck and the Colts offense opened the game with a perfect drive with Luck going 7/7 for 74 yards and a touchdown to T.Y Hilton.
The Chiefs defence through Justin Houston and Tamba Hali turned back the clock to earlier in the season when the Chiefs defence was elite and exploited the weak interior line of the Colts and putting lots of pressure on Andrew Luck.
This resulted in numerous Colts punts, an interception and another interception to start the third quarter.
Down 38 – 10 with 12 minutes left in the third quarter Andrew Luck knew there was still plenty of time and rallied his troops.
On the following drive he led the Colts downfield, including a stunning 46 yard completion to undrafted rookie Da’Rick Rogers, resulting in a Donald Brown touchdown run.
The poise and a delivery in the clutch is what Andrew Luck is renowned for but the play that got them to within three may have a little something to do with his surname.
Luck recovered a Donald Brown fumble and dived over two Kansas City defenders to reach out and score a touchdown in a herculean effort.
It is a play that has Luck being hailed as the NFL’s “Captain Comeback” many images appearing on social media of Luck with a cape on his back.
Luck then with five minutes to go then found T.Y Hilton for a beautiful 64 yard touchdown pass that would etch in forever in the history books.
Luck finished 29 of 45 for 443 yards and four touchdowns, with 314 yards in the second half.
The playoff win was the final nail in the coffin for the very few remaining Andrew Luck doubters
One of the most vocal doubters is ESPN’s Skip Bayless. The regular First Take host has been open about his sceptical attitude to Luck and in January 2012 tweeted this:
I KNOW what Tebow can do in the NFL. I've seen it over/over/over. I'm not sure what Andrew Luck can do or if he has Tebow's It Factor
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) January 27, 2012
The now infamous tweet compares Andrew Luck with now ESPN commentator Tim Tebow. He questions whether Luck has the “it” factor.
Andrew Luck might not have the “it” factor Skip, but he definitely has the clutch factor and he will continue to do so for many, many years.
Luck faces a tough road game at Foxboro in the divisional round but many would not be surprised if he manages to pull out yet another win.
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