Does Fortune Favor Andrew Luck Against The Hurting But Hungry Tennessee Titans?

Andrew Luck, quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, takes his team to Tennessee to face off against the Titans tomorrow in the first of two meetings in the second half of the National Football League’s 2013 regular season.

In Tennessee, Luck and the Colts face the only legitimate threat to their reign in the AFC South division. True, the Titans just lost starting QB Jake Locker to a bizarre Lisfranc injury, and the team is currently sitting at 4-5. But with Andrew Luck’s lackluster performance in the Colts’ loss to the lowly St. Louis Rams, Indianapolis needs to focus on its own shortcomings heading into Thursday night’s game.

In the home loss to the Rams, the Colts offensive line allowed Luck to be sacked three times, two of which resulted in turnovers. Robert Quinn’s forced fumble was returned 45 yards for a St. Louis touchdown. Andrew Luck has been sacked 22 times so far this season and Titans defensive tackle Jurrell Casey, with seven, leads a Tennessee defense with 25 on the year.

Another concern for Luck and the rest of the Indianapolis roster are Andrew’s three interceptions against the Rams. A five-turnover day against a middling defense doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in Andrew Luck, especially not when Luck is set to face a stingy passing defense that has allowed the seventh-least yards in the air this season and its feature defensive back, Alterraun Verner, is tied for the league lead in interceptions with five.

Statistically, things look challenging for Andrew Luck coming into Thursday’s night out in Tennessee. Fortunately for Luck, statistics aren’t everything.

“He’s one of those players who understand, ‘Hey, it’s time,’ ” said analyst Ron Jaworski via the Indianapolis Star. “Some guys can be just adequate for three or 3½ quarters and have the ‘endgame’ gene.”

“Joe Montana had it. When there were big plays to be made in big games, Joe Montana always seemed to make the play. I think Andrew is the same type of guy. He understands: Hey, it’s time.”

Sure, Andrew Luck may be down some times, but his 10 fourth-quarter comebacks through his first 24 games—a league record for quarterbacks—prove that he’s not easily counted out.

What do you think of Andrew Luck in his second season? How can Luck improve his game? How far will Andrew Luck lead the Colts this season?