Andrew Luck Excelling in Year 2

Andrew Luck to Make First Career Appearance on MNF vs Chargers

Through Week 5, there have been 25 fourth-quarter comebacks, fourth-most at this point in NFL history.

Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is no stranger to comebacks.

In Indianapolis' 34-28 win against Seattle on Sunday, Luck led Indianapolis to 11 fourth-quarter points as the Colts came back from a 28-23 deficit.

"He just wills this team to victory," says Colts head coach Chuck Pagano. "He's unbelievable. He's able to stick to the process. It doesn't matter what the score is, what the situation is, the guy just finds a way to make plays, finds a way to get out of the pocket, finds a way to extend. Obviously the guys believe in him. We can jump on his shoulders, jump on his back. We're very, very fortunate that we have him."

The second-year quarterback has now engineered nine game-winning drives in the fourth-quarter or overtime, the most through a player's first 21 games by any quarterback that began his career since the 1970 merger.

Luck is currently tied with Jake Plummer for the most game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime in the first two seasons of a career since 1970.

"No situation is too big for this kid," says former Patriots linebacker and ESPN analyst TEDY BRUSCHI. "This guy doesn't blink. His mentality is always the same and he does not get intimidated. I just see endless poise and composure from him."

Added former NFL quarterback and CBS Sports' NFL TODAY analyst Boomer Esiason, "Overall he is everything as advertised when he came out of Stanford. A can't miss player. If you ask any one of his teammates or coaches, he is the quintessential guy you want leading your franchise."

The most game-winning drives in the fourth quarter/overtime in the first two seasons of career since 1970:

Player Team Game-Winning Drives
Source: NFL
Jake PlummerArizona Cardinals9
Andrew LuckIndianapolis Colts9
Peyton ManningIndianapolis Colts8

 

Luck, who has led Indianapolis to a 4-1 record atop the AFC South this season, is 15-6 (.714) as a starter and reached 15 wins the fastest by a quarterback drafted No. 1 overall since the 1970 merger (21 starts).

In 2013, Luck can challenge Ben Roethlisberger's (22) record for the most wins among quarterbacks in their first two seasons of a career since 1970.

"I don't even look at Andrew Luck as a young quarterback anymore," says former NFL head coach and NFL Network analyst STEVE MARIUCCI. "He plays like a veteran; he's never out of a game. He's smart and he's tough. He plays like an eight-year veteran. The sky is the limit."

The most wins among quarterbacks through the first two seasons of a career since 1970:

Player Team Game-Winning Drives
Source: NFL
Ben RoethlisbergerPittsburgh Steelers22
Dan MarinoMiami Dolphins21
Joe FlaccoBaltimore Ravens20
Matt RyanAtlanta Falcons20

 

Additionally, Luck passed for an NFL-rookie record 4,374 yards a season ago and has totaled 5,518 passing yards in 21 career games.

In the remaining 11 games of the NFL 2013 season, Luck needs 2,403 passing yards for the most passing yards in the first two seasons of a career in NFL history.

The most passing yards through the first two seasons of a career in NFL history:

Player Team Passing Yards
Source: NFL
Cam NewtonCarolina Panthers7,920
Peyton ManningIndianapolis Colts7,874
Dan MarinoMiami Dolphins7,294
Andy DaltonCincinnati Bengals7,067
Drew BledsoeNew England Patriots7,049

 

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Andrew Luck Excelling in Year 2