Colts QB Andrew Luck Heading to Pro Bowl
By Mathew Muncy
Jan 11, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) looks to pass during the fourth quarter of the 2013 AFC divisional playoff football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
For the second straight season, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck will be heading to Hawaii for the NFL Pro Bowl. Luck earned the honor after replacing Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson who will be playing in Super Bowl XLVIII.
You could argue that Luck was originally snubbed from the Pro Bowl as San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was selected over him. It was another incredible season for Luck, one that topped his fantastic rookie season which many believed wouldn’t happen in his sophomore year.
Luck threw for fewer yards this year (4,374 to 3,822) and rushed for fewer touchdowns (5 to 4), but he cut his interceptions in half (18 to 9) and raised his completion percentage (54.1 percent to 60.2 percent). He also broke some records this year; most passing yard (8,196 yards) and most fourth quarter or overtime game-winning drives in the regular season (10) in first two years. Luck’s 22 regular season wins also tied for second-most to start an NFL career since 1970.
With former Colt Peyton Manning leading the Denver Broncos to the Super Bowl, seeing Luck make the Pro Bowl at least gives Colts fans solace that the team made the right decision, at the time, to cut Manning. Luck’s taken a Colts squad that went 2-14 in the absence of Manning in 2011 and turned them into an back-to-back 11-5 team who can hang with any team, except for the New England Patriots.
Luck is only going to get better as the years go on and the Colts continue to build around him. But seeing him step right in and pick up where Manning left off, is a huge plus for not only the league, but the city of Indianapolis as well.
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