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The Colts should be thankful that they play in the AFC South. The team started 0-2, but back-to-back games against the division has helped the Colts get to .500 on the year at 2-2. In the next four weeks, they play the Ravens, Texans, Steelers, and Bengals, so it gets tougher from here. But while we recognize that the AFC South isn't that good, let's not take anything away from the Colts in a 41-17 win over the Titans today. They got it done for the second straight week.
For the first time since 2004, the Colts put up back-to-back games with more than 40 points. And it was all lead by their quarterback. Andrew Luck is amazing.
Today against the Titans, he completed 29 of 41 passes for 393 yards, 4 TD, and a pick. In the past two weeks, he has completed 60 of 80 passes for 763 yards, 8 TD, and one pick. And, on the season (through four games), Luck has completed 115 of 167 passes (68.9%) for 1,305 yards (7.81 yards per attempt), 13 touchdown passes, and 4 interceptions for a passer rating of 108, and he has also added a rushing touchdown.
Luck's four touchdown passes today tied a career high, and his 393 passing yards was the second highest total in a game in his career. Luck passed Peyton Manning today for the most touchdown passes through the first four games of a season in Colts history. Manning's previous franchise record was 11, which he did twice (2004, 2010). Through his first four games this year, Andrew Luck has thrown 13. His 13 touchdown passes currently lead the NFL.
There's absolutely no doubt that he's off to an insane start, and he's led the Colts back from an 0-2 start to 2-2 on the season with two division wins. It was a huge victory for the Colts today over the Titans, and the team has to be thrilled with the past couple of weeks. Let's look at the game notes:
- I really liked this game from the coaching staff. They showed a lot of aggressiveness that quite frankly we haven't seen in a while. The past two weeks have both been good showings by the coaching staff. I really liked the decision by Chuck Pagano to kick the onside kick after scoring to go up 7-0. The Titans weren't expecting it and the Colts recovered, then went on to score another touchdown. Then I thought that Pep Hamilton called a good game as well. If the coaching staff can do what they've done the past two weeks (especially passing to set up the run). There has been a lot of improvement and a lot to like from the coaching staff these past two weeks.
- Speaking of that onside kick, let's take some time to give credit to Pat McAfee. The league's best punter this season just keeps amazing. He pinned a couple of punts inside the Titans' 20 yard line today, including a great 60-yard coffin corner punt. His onside kick was great, too. Pat McAfee continues to have a tremendous season.
- Cory Redding is also having a very strong season and had a strong game today. He's easily their best player on that defensive line for the third straight season.
- Entering today, the Colts didn't have a 100-yard receiving performance yet on the season. They got two today. Reggie Wayne caught 7 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown. T.Y. Hilton caught 6 passes for 105 yards.
- Reggie Wayne today set a number of milestones. He became the third Colt ever to play in 200 games with the franchise, joining just Peyton Manning and Johnny Unitas. He moved into seventh place all-time in career catches, tenth place all-time in career receiving yards, and is now tied for 22nd all-time in receiving touchdowns. Reggie is just a special player, and with some of the amazing catches he made today, that was clear.
- The Colts got three sacks today, which is certainly good to see.
- The Colts still can't defend the tight end…
- Josh McNary hasn't been overly impressive in his three starts for the Colts. Don't give up on him yet, but I haven't been that impressed.
- Did I mention that Andrew Luck is awesome?
- The Colts struggled to run the ball today, averaging just 2.8 yards per carry.
- Mike Adams had his best game as a Colt today. He picked off two passes and had another pass breakup that saved a touchdown.
- It's always good when the backup quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck, can come in at the end of the game two weeks in a row because it's a blowout.
- For the second straight week, the Colts saw a rookie quarterback make his NFL debut against them in relief work: Blake Bortles last week for the Jaguars, Zach Mettenberger today for the Titans.
- This win makes nine consecutive victories against the AFC South for the Colts.