QB Andrew Luck records first pro win as Indianapolis Colts defeat Minnesota Vikings 23-20 – NFL Recap
Rookie star performer quarterback Andrew Luck proved to be even better than his predecessor Peyton Manning in comparison of their earlier pro career days to help his side Indianapolis Colts register 23-20 win over the visitors Minnesota Vikings for their
first victory of the season on Sunday.
Andrew successfully completed 20 out of 31 passes for total 224 yards, which nevertheless is an impressive figure from a player who had just played the second game of his pro career, though it was not a spectacular display of his skills and he knows he has
a long way to go yet.
The amazing part of Andrew’s performance on the day was his ability to wait for the opposition players to commit mistakes and then making them pay a heavy price for those. In simple terms, he waited for opportunities to present themselves to him, he did
not create them. Yet he managed to put up some impressive numbers on the board.
He as a matter of fact was without three starting players on the offensive line in the second half and yet was able to manage successfully without them.
As it had been predicted, he proved how effective a leader he is; he created opportunities for the teammates as effectively as he managed his own plays. For example, he helped generate a 30-yard scoring opportunity for wide receiver Reggie Wayne, and also
was much of a help in generating a pair of field goal chances, which were converted by the team successfully to boost their win prospects.
At the same time, he had some miscues but fewer than previous game. Also, he never let those lapses take on his nerve in the game. For example, he took a sack with only about three minutes left in the game.
He said:
"I guess some people were under the impression that the clock was going to run, so I guess we looked a little foolish killing the clock when it was already stopped. Oh well."
Coach Chuck Pagano was a pleased man for what Luck had produced on the day, which helped him claim his first victory as a coach since joining the Colts earlier this year, replacing the most successful coaching official Jim Caldwell.
Chuck said:
"It's just amazing that the guy's able to go out there and do the things he does as a rookie. He certainly had to put the ball on them, and he did."
While Luck enjoyed his game, the Vikings could not find an answer to it. Vikings defensive end Jared Allen is particularly furious over missing some clear sacking opportunities. He said:
"We were rushing him. He moved around a lot. It (stinks), missing sacks. He did a good job. If the guy is not as mobile, we probably have six sacks.”
His point is justified in a sense that their quarterback Christian Ponder was sacked four times by Colts’ defence. Ponder was able to complete 27 out 35 passes for 245 yards but could not help the side avoid the defeat.
Interestingly, the win has helped the Colts better a few records. They have won their third straight home game, including two of the past seasons and their home-game record against the Vikings has improved to all-time 10-0.
They are now 1-1 in the American Football Conference (AFC) South, just behind the Houston Texans, who have won their both games of the season and stand at 2-0 in the division. Their other rivals, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans, are yet to
score a win.
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