[BostonCard]

A) true! "in part" maybe not doing enough work in my initial comment.
D) I think they need to find many offensive linemen, and really fast. Luck's been the most-hit QB in the league each of the past two years. Especially in the NFL, if you have a good offensive line, you can create running backs and games.

For what it is worth, according to ESPN:
The Colts did an excellent job protecting Andrew Luck, who was pressured on only 7-of-49 dropbacks Saturday (career low 14 percent), including 2-of-26 in the second half. Neither Tamba Hali nor Justin Houston (one combined sack) could generate consistent pressure on Luck, who finished with a career-high 443 passing yards.  [-]
Andrew Luck Dropbacks, 2013 Season
Reg Season Saturday
Pct under pressure 22% 14%*
Sack pct 5% 2%
Sacks 32 1
Pass yds PG 238.9 443
*Career low (7-of-49)

[BostonCard]

A) true! "in part" maybe not doing enough work in my initial comment.
D) I think they need to find many offensive linemen, and really fast. Luck's been the most-hit QB in the league each of the past two years. Especially in the NFL, if you have a good offensive line, you can create running backs and games.

For what it is worth, according to ESPN:
The Colts did an excellent job protecting Andrew Luck, who was pressured on only 7-of-49 dropbacks Saturday (career low 14 percent), including 2-of-26 in the second half. Neither Tamba Hali nor Justin Houston (one combined sack) could generate consistent pressure on Luck, who finished with a career-high 443 passing yards.  [-]
Andrew Luck Dropbacks, 2013 Season
Reg Season Saturday
Pct under pressure 22% 14%*
Sack pct 5% 2%
Sacks 32 1
Pass yds PG 238.9 443
*Career low (7-of-49)

[BostonCard]

A) true! "in part" maybe not doing enough work in my initial comment.
D) I think they need to find many offensive linemen, and really fast. Luck's been the most-hit QB in the league each of the past two years. Especially in the NFL, if you have a good offensive line, you can create running backs and games.

For what it is worth, according to ESPN:
The Colts did an excellent job protecting Andrew Luck, who was pressured on only 7-of-49 dropbacks Saturday (career low 14 percent), including 2-of-26 in the second half. Neither Tamba Hali nor Justin Houston (one combined sack) could generate consistent pressure on Luck, who finished with a career-high 443 passing yards.  [-]
Andrew Luck Dropbacks, 2013 Season
Reg Season Saturday
Pct under pressure 22% 14%*
Sack pct 5% 2%
Sacks 32 1
Pass yds PG 238.9 443
*Career low (7-of-49)

[BostonCard]

A) true! "in part" maybe not doing enough work in my initial comment.
D) I think they need to find many offensive linemen, and really fast. Luck's been the most-hit QB in the league each of the past two years. Especially in the NFL, if you have a good offensive line, you can create running backs and games.

For what it is worth, according to ESPN:
The Colts did an excellent job protecting Andrew Luck, who was pressured on only 7-of-49 dropbacks Saturday (career low 14 percent), including 2-of-26 in the second half. Neither Tamba Hali nor Justin Houston (one combined sack) could generate consistent pressure on Luck, who finished with a career-high 443 passing yards.  [-]
Andrew Luck Dropbacks, 2013 Season
Reg Season Saturday
Pct under pressure 22% 14%*
Sack pct 5% 2%
Sacks 32 1
Pass yds PG 238.9 443
*Career low (7-of-49)

[pincemob]

The Colts did an excellent job protecting Andrew Luck, who was pressured on only 7-of-49 dropbacks Saturday (career low 14 percent), including 2-of-26 in the second half. Neither Tamba Hali nor Justin Houston (one combined sack) could generate consistent pressure on Luck, who finished with a career-high 443 passing yards. 

I think that statistic could be misleading.  Luck had 7 carries, several scrambles to escape trouble.  I'd guess those aren't counted as "dropbacks".  He also displayed some absolutely brilliant footwork, dodging defenders to buy time, side-stepping to move the pocket, etc.  Some of the defenders were breaking through but the reason they didn't "generate pressure" was because Andrew had moved.  With that said, I thought his team blocked better yesterday than they normally do where half his throws are when he's being pulled down at the waist.  They also opened up some nice holes for Donald Brown.  It's encouraging given what's ahead for them.

[pincemob]

The Colts did an excellent job protecting Andrew Luck, who was pressured on only 7-of-49 dropbacks Saturday (career low 14 percent), including 2-of-26 in the second half. Neither Tamba Hali nor Justin Houston (one combined sack) could generate consistent pressure on Luck, who finished with a career-high 443 passing yards. 

I think that statistic could be misleading.  Luck had 7 carries, several scrambles to escape trouble.  I'd guess those aren't counted as "dropbacks".  He also displayed some absolutely brilliant footwork, dodging defenders to buy time, side-stepping to move the pocket, etc.  Some of the defenders were breaking through but the reason they didn't "generate pressure" was because Andrew had moved.  With that said, I thought his team blocked better yesterday than they normally do where half his throws are when he's being pulled down at the waist.  They also opened up some nice holes for Donald Brown.  It's encouraging given what's ahead for them.

[pincemob]

The Colts did an excellent job protecting Andrew Luck, who was pressured on only 7-of-49 dropbacks Saturday (career low 14 percent), including 2-of-26 in the second half. Neither Tamba Hali nor Justin Houston (one combined sack) could generate consistent pressure on Luck, who finished with a career-high 443 passing yards. 

I think that statistic could be misleading.  Luck had 7 carries, several scrambles to escape trouble.  I'd guess those aren't counted as "dropbacks".  He also displayed some absolutely brilliant footwork, dodging defenders to buy time, side-stepping to move the pocket, etc.  Some of the defenders were breaking through but the reason they didn't "generate pressure" was because Andrew had moved.  With that said, I thought his team blocked better yesterday than they normally do where half his throws are when he's being pulled down at the waist.  They also opened up some nice holes for Donald Brown.  It's encouraging given what's ahead for them.

[pincemob]

The Colts did an excellent job protecting Andrew Luck, who was pressured on only 7-of-49 dropbacks Saturday (career low 14 percent), including 2-of-26 in the second half. Neither Tamba Hali nor Justin Houston (one combined sack) could generate consistent pressure on Luck, who finished with a career-high 443 passing yards. 

I think that statistic could be misleading.  Luck had 7 carries, several scrambles to escape trouble.  I'd guess those aren't counted as "dropbacks".  He also displayed some absolutely brilliant footwork, dodging defenders to buy time, side-stepping to move the pocket, etc.  Some of the defenders were breaking through but the reason they didn't "generate pressure" was because Andrew had moved.  With that said, I thought his team blocked better yesterday than they normally do where half his throws are when he's being pulled down at the waist.  They also opened up some nice holes for Donald Brown.  It's encouraging given what's ahead for them.

[BostonCard]

The Colts did an excellent job protecting Andrew Luck, who was pressured on only 7-of-49 dropbacks Saturday (career low 14 percent), including 2-of-26 in the second half. Neither Tamba Hali nor Justin Houston (one combined sack) could generate consistent pressure on Luck, who finished with a career-high 443 passing yards. 

I think that statistic could be misleading.  Luck had 7 carries, several scrambles to escape trouble.  I'd guess those aren't counted as "dropbacks".  He also displayed some absolutely brilliant footwork, dodging defenders to buy time, side-stepping to move the pocket, etc.  Some of the defenders were breaking through but the reason they didn't "generate pressure" was because Andrew had moved.  With that said, I thought his team blocked better yesterday than they normally do where half his throws are when he's being pulled down at the waist.  They also opened up some nice holes for Donald Brown.  It's encouraging given what's ahead for them.

WEll, the box score shows Luck with 45 passing attempts and 1 sack, so three of the 49 "dropbacks" are unaccounted for, and I suspect that those are the scrambles to escape trouble.

BC

[BostonCard]

The Colts did an excellent job protecting Andrew Luck, who was pressured on only 7-of-49 dropbacks Saturday (career low 14 percent), including 2-of-26 in the second half. Neither Tamba Hali nor Justin Houston (one combined sack) could generate consistent pressure on Luck, who finished with a career-high 443 passing yards. 

I think that statistic could be misleading.  Luck had 7 carries, several scrambles to escape trouble.  I'd guess those aren't counted as "dropbacks".  He also displayed some absolutely brilliant footwork, dodging defenders to buy time, side-stepping to move the pocket, etc.  Some of the defenders were breaking through but the reason they didn't "generate pressure" was because Andrew had moved.  With that said, I thought his team blocked better yesterday than they normally do where half his throws are when he's being pulled down at the waist.  They also opened up some nice holes for Donald Brown.  It's encouraging given what's ahead for them.

WEll, the box score shows Luck with 45 passing attempts and 1 sack, so three of the 49 "dropbacks" are unaccounted for, and I suspect that those are the scrambles to escape trouble.

BC

[BostonCard]

The Colts did an excellent job protecting Andrew Luck, who was pressured on only 7-of-49 dropbacks Saturday (career low 14 percent), including 2-of-26 in the second half. Neither Tamba Hali nor Justin Houston (one combined sack) could generate consistent pressure on Luck, who finished with a career-high 443 passing yards. 

I think that statistic could be misleading.  Luck had 7 carries, several scrambles to escape trouble.  I'd guess those aren't counted as "dropbacks".  He also displayed some absolutely brilliant footwork, dodging defenders to buy time, side-stepping to move the pocket, etc.  Some of the defenders were breaking through but the reason they didn't "generate pressure" was because Andrew had moved.  With that said, I thought his team blocked better yesterday than they normally do where half his throws are when he's being pulled down at the waist.  They also opened up some nice holes for Donald Brown.  It's encouraging given what's ahead for them.

WEll, the box score shows Luck with 45 passing attempts and 1 sack, so three of the 49 "dropbacks" are unaccounted for, and I suspect that those are the scrambles to escape trouble.

BC

[BostonCard]

The Colts did an excellent job protecting Andrew Luck, who was pressured on only 7-of-49 dropbacks Saturday (career low 14 percent), including 2-of-26 in the second half. Neither Tamba Hali nor Justin Houston (one combined sack) could generate consistent pressure on Luck, who finished with a career-high 443 passing yards. 

I think that statistic could be misleading.  Luck had 7 carries, several scrambles to escape trouble.  I'd guess those aren't counted as "dropbacks".  He also displayed some absolutely brilliant footwork, dodging defenders to buy time, side-stepping to move the pocket, etc.  Some of the defenders were breaking through but the reason they didn't "generate pressure" was because Andrew had moved.  With that said, I thought his team blocked better yesterday than they normally do where half his throws are when he's being pulled down at the waist.  They also opened up some nice holes for Donald Brown.  It's encouraging given what's ahead for them.

WEll, the box score shows Luck with 45 passing attempts and 1 sack, so three of the 49 "dropbacks" are unaccounted for, and I suspect that those are the scrambles to escape trouble.

BC

[TreeFitty]

We need to get Toby to the Colts.

[TreeFitty]

We need to get Toby to the Colts.

[TreeFitty]

We need to get Toby to the Colts.

[TreeFitty]

We need to get Toby to the Colts.

[BostonCard]

[quote author=FarmBoy link=topic=9343.msg80814#msg80814 date=1388888269]
In case you are interested in seeing Kal fan emotions roller coast over Stanford football once again...

http://bearinsider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80911

My favorite exchange:

Originally Posted by GRRAAH View Post
I'd take credit for dumb post of year.. but on this board, it probably isn't top 100.

True enough. You are only one of many who can't seem to figure out the virtues of posting about the play of said player After BOTH halves have been played.

[/quote]

In case you are interested in seeing Kal fan emotions roller coast over Stanford football once again...

http://bearinsider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80911

What's weird is that I don't root against the packers because they have Aron rogers.  I'm not rooting for them against the miners, but I'm perfectly capable of appreciating how good a qb he is, regardless of where he went to school.  That being said, a colts/packers super bowl would be interesting to say the least.
BC

[BostonCard]

[quote author=FarmBoy link=topic=9343.msg80814#msg80814 date=1388888269]
In case you are interested in seeing Kal fan emotions roller coast over Stanford football once again...

http://bearinsider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80911

My favorite exchange:

Originally Posted by GRRAAH View Post
I'd take credit for dumb post of year.. but on this board, it probably isn't top 100.

True enough. You are only one of many who can't seem to figure out the virtues of posting about the play of said player After BOTH halves have been played.

[/quote]

In case you are interested in seeing Kal fan emotions roller coast over Stanford football once again...

http://bearinsider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80911

What's weird is that I don't root against the packers because they have Aron rogers.  I'm not rooting for them against the miners, but I'm perfectly capable of appreciating how good a qb he is, regardless of where he went to school.  That being said, a colts/packers super bowl would be interesting to say the least.
BC

[BostonCard]

[quote author=FarmBoy link=topic=9343.msg80814#msg80814 date=1388888269]
In case you are interested in seeing Kal fan emotions roller coast over Stanford football once again...

http://bearinsider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80911

My favorite exchange:

Originally Posted by GRRAAH View Post
I'd take credit for dumb post of year.. but on this board, it probably isn't top 100.

True enough. You are only one of many who can't seem to figure out the virtues of posting about the play of said player After BOTH halves have been played.

[/quote]

In case you are interested in seeing Kal fan emotions roller coast over Stanford football once again...

http://bearinsider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80911

What's weird is that I don't root against the packers because they have Aron rogers.  I'm not rooting for them against the miners, but I'm perfectly capable of appreciating how good a qb he is, regardless of where he went to school.  That being said, a colts/packers super bowl would be interesting to say the least.
BC

[BostonCard]

[quote author=FarmBoy link=topic=9343.msg80814#msg80814 date=1388888269]
In case you are interested in seeing Kal fan emotions roller coast over Stanford football once again...

http://bearinsider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80911

My favorite exchange:

Originally Posted by GRRAAH View Post
I'd take credit for dumb post of year.. but on this board, it probably isn't top 100.

True enough. You are only one of many who can't seem to figure out the virtues of posting about the play of said player After BOTH halves have been played.

[/quote]

In case you are interested in seeing Kal fan emotions roller coast over Stanford football once again...

http://bearinsider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80911

What's weird is that I don't root against the packers because they have Aron rogers.  I'm not rooting for them against the miners, but I'm perfectly capable of appreciating how good a qb he is, regardless of where he went to school.  That being said, a colts/packers super bowl would be interesting to say the least.
BC

[g1313]

It's a bit early to think about the Colts in the Super Bowl - keep in mind the truly massive number of impact injuries that the Chiefs suffered in yesterday's game:

1) NFL leading rusher Jamaal Charles during their first drive.
2) #2(?) receiver Donnie Avery in Q3
3) Pro Bowl CB Brandon Flowers in Q3
4) Second string RB Knile Davis in Q4, leaving only their third string RB left.
5) Pro Bowl LB and impact pass rusher Justin Houston in Q4

I'm not giving them much of a chance against the Patriots, the Colts have too many weaknesses on offense and Belichick is going to exploit them.

[g1313]

It's a bit early to think about the Colts in the Super Bowl - keep in mind the truly massive number of impact injuries that the Chiefs suffered in yesterday's game:

1) NFL leading rusher Jamaal Charles during their first drive.
2) #2(?) receiver Donnie Avery in Q3
3) Pro Bowl CB Brandon Flowers in Q3
4) Second string RB Knile Davis in Q4, leaving only their third string RB left.
5) Pro Bowl LB and impact pass rusher Justin Houston in Q4

I'm not giving them much of a chance against the Patriots, the Colts have too many weaknesses on offense and Belichick is going to exploit them.

[g1313]

It's a bit early to think about the Colts in the Super Bowl - keep in mind the truly massive number of impact injuries that the Chiefs suffered in yesterday's game:

1) NFL leading rusher Jamaal Charles during their first drive.
2) #2(?) receiver Donnie Avery in Q3
3) Pro Bowl CB Brandon Flowers in Q3
4) Second string RB Knile Davis in Q4, leaving only their third string RB left.
5) Pro Bowl LB and impact pass rusher Justin Houston in Q4

I'm not giving them much of a chance against the Patriots, the Colts have too many weaknesses on offense and Belichick is going to exploit them.

[g1313]

It's a bit early to think about the Colts in the Super Bowl - keep in mind the truly massive number of impact injuries that the Chiefs suffered in yesterday's game:

1) NFL leading rusher Jamaal Charles during their first drive.
2) #2(?) receiver Donnie Avery in Q3
3) Pro Bowl CB Brandon Flowers in Q3
4) Second string RB Knile Davis in Q4, leaving only their third string RB left.
5) Pro Bowl LB and impact pass rusher Justin Houston in Q4

I'm not giving them much of a chance against the Patriots, the Colts have too many weaknesses on offense and Belichick is going to exploit them.

[BostonCard]

Cattouse should send the Chiefs a gift basket because Luck's fumble recovery TD is now his most meaningful play.

Sanchez probably should send some too since when people think of fumbles they might actually think of Luck's fumble recovery for a TD rather than the Sanchez butt fumble.

For what it's worth, I think the hit Andrew put on sharece wright was more impressive than the Catouse.  But that falls into the realm of quibbling over which Victoria's secret model is hotter.  As an aside, Andrew lost the crown of most awesome one-hamded catch this year.  What is it about UCLA that brings out the best in our receivers?
BC

[BostonCard]

Cattouse should send the Chiefs a gift basket because Luck's fumble recovery TD is now his most meaningful play.

Sanchez probably should send some too since when people think of fumbles they might actually think of Luck's fumble recovery for a TD rather than the Sanchez butt fumble.

For what it's worth, I think the hit Andrew put on sharece wright was more impressive than the Catouse.  But that falls into the realm of quibbling over which Victoria's secret model is hotter.  As an aside, Andrew lost the crown of most awesome one-hamded catch this year.  What is it about UCLA that brings out the best in our receivers?
BC

[BostonCard]

Cattouse should send the Chiefs a gift basket because Luck's fumble recovery TD is now his most meaningful play.

Sanchez probably should send some too since when people think of fumbles they might actually think of Luck's fumble recovery for a TD rather than the Sanchez butt fumble.

For what it's worth, I think the hit Andrew put on sharece wright was more impressive than the Catouse.  But that falls into the realm of quibbling over which Victoria's secret model is hotter.  As an aside, Andrew lost the crown of most awesome one-hamded catch this year.  What is it about UCLA that brings out the best in our receivers?
BC

[BostonCard]

Cattouse should send the Chiefs a gift basket because Luck's fumble recovery TD is now his most meaningful play.

Sanchez probably should send some too since when people think of fumbles they might actually think of Luck's fumble recovery for a TD rather than the Sanchez butt fumble.

For what it's worth, I think the hit Andrew put on sharece wright was more impressive than the Catouse.  But that falls into the realm of quibbling over which Victoria's secret model is hotter.  As an aside, Andrew lost the crown of most awesome one-hamded catch this year.  What is it about UCLA that brings out the best in our receivers?
BC

[FarmBoy]

I'm glad that the Colts will be playing in NE rather than Denver this weekend, mainly because I'll get a lot of local coverage from Boston sports radio and newspapers.

Here's the Gostanford.com summary of Stanford in the NFL: http://www.gostanford.com/ViewArticle.db...M_ID=30600

Seven Stanford players remain in the playoffs. I didn't realize that Sione Fua played for the Broncos. It doesn't look like he's really caught on this year though, having been cut by the Panthers in August and played sparingly in Denver.

[FarmBoy]

I'm glad that the Colts will be playing in NE rather than Denver this weekend, mainly because I'll get a lot of local coverage from Boston sports radio and newspapers.

Here's the Gostanford.com summary of Stanford in the NFL: http://www.gostanford.com/ViewArticle.db...M_ID=30600

Seven Stanford players remain in the playoffs. I didn't realize that Sione Fua played for the Broncos. It doesn't look like he's really caught on this year though, having been cut by the Panthers in August and played sparingly in Denver.

[FarmBoy]

I'm glad that the Colts will be playing in NE rather than Denver this weekend, mainly because I'll get a lot of local coverage from Boston sports radio and newspapers.

Here's the Gostanford.com summary of Stanford in the NFL: http://www.gostanford.com/ViewArticle.db...M_ID=30600

Seven Stanford players remain in the playoffs. I didn't realize that Sione Fua played for the Broncos. It doesn't look like he's really caught on this year though, having been cut by the Panthers in August and played sparingly in Denver.

[FarmBoy]

I'm glad that the Colts will be playing in NE rather than Denver this weekend, mainly because I'll get a lot of local coverage from Boston sports radio and newspapers.

Here's the Gostanford.com summary of Stanford in the NFL: http://www.gostanford.com/ViewArticle.db...M_ID=30600

Seven Stanford players remain in the playoffs. I didn't realize that Sione Fua played for the Broncos. It doesn't look like he's really caught on this year though, having been cut by the Panthers in August and played sparingly in Denver.

[scorecard]

This game was amazing, some might even say phenomenal.  The cynical will say that Luck put himself in that hole by throwing 3 interceptions, but that is an oversimplification.  They were well into the hole (down by 21) before he threw any interceptions at all.  You can attribute just 10 of the Chiefs 44 points directly to Luck interceptions (and all of that was actually in the second half).  Even Luck's third interception was thrown behind Hilton due to heavy pressure, but could have just as easily been caught by Hilton.  The first half was not so much a bad half by Luck, but a great half by Smith and/or bad defense by the Colts (I actually feel bad for Smith because he was so maligned in SF, and he played a great game other than missing one wide-open pass that could have sealed the game). 

To recap the first half:

Chiefs score opening drive 0-7
Colts answer, Luck is 7 for 7 on the drive, ties score at 7-7
Chiefs score fg 7-10
Colts 3 and out: Luck arm hit while throwing on 2nd down, 3rd down pass batted down
Chiefs score on 79 yard bomb to Avery: 7-17
Colts Trent Richardson fumbles on first play of next drive, Luck actually makes the tackle on the play
Chiefs score on short field: 7-24
Colts score fg, mainly due to Luck run off a zone-read play on 4th down, could have Cattoused the safety but clearly has been told to slide: 10-24
Chiefs score on 80 yard drive, chew up most of 2nd qtr: 10-31
Colts: Luck in 2 minute drill throws 1st pick w 21 secs left, cost them no points, as KC had no time to score

So the Colts scored on 2 of their 5 drives, but the Chiefs scored on every single drive.  First time in playoff history that a team scored on each of their first 5 drives.  The defense was pretty much horrendous, but picked up their game in the 2nd half. 

The thing I love about Luck is that he always shoulders the blame for plays or deficits, never throws anyone else under the bus.  Always remembers to talk about the team.  I'll bet he won't even yell at his punter who posted a pic to twitter with a near-naked Luck in the background.

In any case, it was absolutely thrilling to see Luck pull through, with Fleener and Whalen both making big plays along the way.  I know the fumble recovery for a TD reminded me of Luck hurdling through the line in the USC 3OT game.    The Chiefs indeed suffered a ridiculous amount of injuries in the game which helped, but the Colts have lost just as many players through the course of the year and still stayed the course.  Now if they will just get him some interior OL help this offseason.  Can't wait to see what happens this week! 

[scorecard]

This game was amazing, some might even say phenomenal.  The cynical will say that Luck put himself in that hole by throwing 3 interceptions, but that is an oversimplification.  They were well into the hole (down by 21) before he threw any interceptions at all.  You can attribute just 10 of the Chiefs 44 points directly to Luck interceptions (and all of that was actually in the second half).  Even Luck's third interception was thrown behind Hilton due to heavy pressure, but could have just as easily been caught by Hilton.  The first half was not so much a bad half by Luck, but a great half by Smith and/or bad defense by the Colts (I actually feel bad for Smith because he was so maligned in SF, and he played a great game other than missing one wide-open pass that could have sealed the game). 

To recap the first half:

Chiefs score opening drive 0-7
Colts answer, Luck is 7 for 7 on the drive, ties score at 7-7
Chiefs score fg 7-10
Colts 3 and out: Luck arm hit while throwing on 2nd down, 3rd down pass batted down
Chiefs score on 79 yard bomb to Avery: 7-17
Colts Trent Richardson fumbles on first play of next drive, Luck actually makes the tackle on the play
Chiefs score on short field: 7-24
Colts score fg, mainly due to Luck run off a zone-read play on 4th down, could have Cattoused the safety but clearly has been told to slide: 10-24
Chiefs score on 80 yard drive, chew up most of 2nd qtr: 10-31
Colts: Luck in 2 minute drill throws 1st pick w 21 secs left, cost them no points, as KC had no time to score

So the Colts scored on 2 of their 5 drives, but the Chiefs scored on every single drive.  First time in playoff history that a team scored on each of their first 5 drives.  The defense was pretty much horrendous, but picked up their game in the 2nd half. 

The thing I love about Luck is that he always shoulders the blame for plays or deficits, never throws anyone else under the bus.  Always remembers to talk about the team.  I'll bet he won't even yell at his punter who posted a pic to twitter with a near-naked Luck in the background.

In any case, it was absolutely thrilling to see Luck pull through, with Fleener and Whalen both making big plays along the way.  I know the fumble recovery for a TD reminded me of Luck hurdling through the line in the USC 3OT game.    The Chiefs indeed suffered a ridiculous amount of injuries in the game which helped, but the Colts have lost just as many players through the course of the year and still stayed the course.  Now if they will just get him some interior OL help this offseason.  Can't wait to see what happens this week! 

[scorecard]

This game was amazing, some might even say phenomenal.  The cynical will say that Luck put himself in that hole by throwing 3 interceptions, but that is an oversimplification.  They were well into the hole (down by 21) before he threw any interceptions at all.  You can attribute just 10 of the Chiefs 44 points directly to Luck interceptions (and all of that was actually in the second half).  Even Luck's third interception was thrown behind Hilton due to heavy pressure, but could have just as easily been caught by Hilton.  The first half was not so much a bad half by Luck, but a great half by Smith and/or bad defense by the Colts (I actually feel bad for Smith because he was so maligned in SF, and he played a great game other than missing one wide-open pass that could have sealed the game). 

To recap the first half:

Chiefs score opening drive 0-7
Colts answer, Luck is 7 for 7 on the drive, ties score at 7-7
Chiefs score fg 7-10
Colts 3 and out: Luck arm hit while throwing on 2nd down, 3rd down pass batted down
Chiefs score on 79 yard bomb to Avery: 7-17
Colts Trent Richardson fumbles on first play of next drive, Luck actually makes the tackle on the play
Chiefs score on short field: 7-24
Colts score fg, mainly due to Luck run off a zone-read play on 4th down, could have Cattoused the safety but clearly has been told to slide: 10-24
Chiefs score on 80 yard drive, chew up most of 2nd qtr: 10-31
Colts: Luck in 2 minute drill throws 1st pick w 21 secs left, cost them no points, as KC had no time to score

So the Colts scored on 2 of their 5 drives, but the Chiefs scored on every single drive.  First time in playoff history that a team scored on each of their first 5 drives.  The defense was pretty much horrendous, but picked up their game in the 2nd half. 

The thing I love about Luck is that he always shoulders the blame for plays or deficits, never throws anyone else under the bus.  Always remembers to talk about the team.  I'll bet he won't even yell at his punter who posted a pic to twitter with a near-naked Luck in the background.

In any case, it was absolutely thrilling to see Luck pull through, with Fleener and Whalen both making big plays along the way.  I know the fumble recovery for a TD reminded me of Luck hurdling through the line in the USC 3OT game.    The Chiefs indeed suffered a ridiculous amount of injuries in the game which helped, but the Colts have lost just as many players through the course of the year and still stayed the course.  Now if they will just get him some interior OL help this offseason.  Can't wait to see what happens this week! 

[scorecard]

This game was amazing, some might even say phenomenal.  The cynical will say that Luck put himself in that hole by throwing 3 interceptions, but that is an oversimplification.  They were well into the hole (down by 21) before he threw any interceptions at all.  You can attribute just 10 of the Chiefs 44 points directly to Luck interceptions (and all of that was actually in the second half).  Even Luck's third interception was thrown behind Hilton due to heavy pressure, but could have just as easily been caught by Hilton.  The first half was not so much a bad half by Luck, but a great half by Smith and/or bad defense by the Colts (I actually feel bad for Smith because he was so maligned in SF, and he played a great game other than missing one wide-open pass that could have sealed the game). 

To recap the first half:

Chiefs score opening drive 0-7
Colts answer, Luck is 7 for 7 on the drive, ties score at 7-7
Chiefs score fg 7-10
Colts 3 and out: Luck arm hit while throwing on 2nd down, 3rd down pass batted down
Chiefs score on 79 yard bomb to Avery: 7-17
Colts Trent Richardson fumbles on first play of next drive, Luck actually makes the tackle on the play
Chiefs score on short field: 7-24
Colts score fg, mainly due to Luck run off a zone-read play on 4th down, could have Cattoused the safety but clearly has been told to slide: 10-24
Chiefs score on 80 yard drive, chew up most of 2nd qtr: 10-31
Colts: Luck in 2 minute drill throws 1st pick w 21 secs left, cost them no points, as KC had no time to score

So the Colts scored on 2 of their 5 drives, but the Chiefs scored on every single drive.  First time in playoff history that a team scored on each of their first 5 drives.  The defense was pretty much horrendous, but picked up their game in the 2nd half. 

The thing I love about Luck is that he always shoulders the blame for plays or deficits, never throws anyone else under the bus.  Always remembers to talk about the team.  I'll bet he won't even yell at his punter who posted a pic to twitter with a near-naked Luck in the background.

In any case, it was absolutely thrilling to see Luck pull through, with Fleener and Whalen both making big plays along the way.  I know the fumble recovery for a TD reminded me of Luck hurdling through the line in the USC 3OT game.    The Chiefs indeed suffered a ridiculous amount of injuries in the game which helped, but the Colts have lost just as many players through the course of the year and still stayed the course.  Now if they will just get him some interior OL help this offseason.  Can't wait to see what happens this week! 

[FarmBoy]

And Skip and Smith are at it again: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=1025071...api_public

Colts score fg, mainly due to Luck run off a zone-read play on 4th down, could have Cattoused the safety but clearly has been told to slide: 10-24

I was surprised when he went down. His conservatism there may have cost the team 4 pts in that situation. I'm sure he's be coached heavily to give himself up, but it seems to me that playoff football is different and you should utilize every tool in the box to its max potential. It just seemed outside of his playing mentality, and to the degree he's being coached to avoid hits.

[FarmBoy]

And Skip and Smith are at it again: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=1025071...api_public

Colts score fg, mainly due to Luck run off a zone-read play on 4th down, could have Cattoused the safety but clearly has been told to slide: 10-24

I was surprised when he went down. His conservatism there may have cost the team 4 pts in that situation. I'm sure he's be coached heavily to give himself up, but it seems to me that playoff football is different and you should utilize every tool in the box to its max potential. It just seemed outside of his playing mentality, and to the degree he's being coached to avoid hits.

[FarmBoy]

And Skip and Smith are at it again: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=1025071...api_public

Colts score fg, mainly due to Luck run off a zone-read play on 4th down, could have Cattoused the safety but clearly has been told to slide: 10-24

I was surprised when he went down. His conservatism there may have cost the team 4 pts in that situation. I'm sure he's be coached heavily to give himself up, but it seems to me that playoff football is different and you should utilize every tool in the box to its max potential. It just seemed outside of his playing mentality, and to the degree he's being coached to avoid hits.

[FarmBoy]

And Skip and Smith are at it again: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=1025071...api_public

Colts score fg, mainly due to Luck run off a zone-read play on 4th down, could have Cattoused the safety but clearly has been told to slide: 10-24

I was surprised when he went down. His conservatism there may have cost the team 4 pts in that situation. I'm sure he's be coached heavily to give himself up, but it seems to me that playoff football is different and you should utilize every tool in the box to its max potential. It just seemed outside of his playing mentality, and to the degree he's being coached to avoid hits.