Andrew Luck Faces Biggest Challenge Yet

Nov 3, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) sets to pass during the second half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Indianapolis Colts defeat the New York Giants 40-24. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

Andrew Luck is a dang good young quarterback. But Sunday is his chance to put himself among the best in the league.

If there has ever been a roadblock in the career of Andrew Luck, it’s been the New England Patriots. In Luck’s most recent matchup with the Patriots in last year’s playoffs, he did less than fantastic, logging 331 yards, a sub-50 percent completion rate (20/41) and two scores along with four picks. At times in the playoff game, Luck looked terrible. He couldn’t find open receivers, succumbed to the New England pass rush way too many times and likely had the worst decision-making game of his career in Indianapolis.

But Sunday is his chance to change that and I expect Andrew Luck to take full advantage of it.

This year’s big matchup between the AFC titans is incredibly different from last year’s playoff tilt. For starters, this game will be played in front a pumped-up Lucas Oil Stadium crowd instead of the fans at Gillette Stadium last year. The atmosphere will be much different, Luck will have the ability to run through his cadence and reads unhindered without the screaming of Patriots fans all around him. Luck’s only lost game at home this year was against the Eagles in possibly one of this year’s most controversial matchups. The Lucas Oil crowd will do everything in their power to help their quarterback succeed.

But beyond anything else, this matchup is different because of the beefed up offense that Andrew Luck now controls. Last year, along with T.Y. Hilton, Luck orchestrated an attack featuring Donald Brown, Da’Rick Rogers, LaVon Brazill and Griff Whalen. This year, Luck has Reggie Wayne and Hakeem Nicks in the offense along with up-and-coming rookie wideout Donte Moncrief. Trent Richardson has been greatly improved, Ahmad Bradshaw is making plays for the Colts once again and Dwayne Allen rejoins the lineup after being out last year. The offensive line even looks better this year. While the Patriots defense may be very good and make a great test for Luck, this is a drastically different Colts team than the one that got killed last year.

Finally, Luck is a better player this year than last year. His accuracy his increased, he’s shown even better pocket presence (credit the offensive line some for that) and he’s gotten better at commanding a huddle. While his decision making is still a tad questionable, Luck has made leaps and bounds this year. He is not the player who threw four ill-advised picks against New England last year and it’s extremely unlikely that he’ll do it again.

If Andrew Luck wants to entrench himself as one of the best in the NFL, this is his matchup to prove he belongs there. There’s been one constant thorn in his side since coming into the league: Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. For years, the matchup of the year has always been Peyton Manning’s Colts/Broncos vs Tom Brady’s Patriots. But with a win on Sunday, Luck joins the ranks of the elites. Brady vs Luck will be a game for the history books. This is Luck’s chance to become king of the NFL.

Don’t miss his coronation.