INDIANAPOLIS — Quarterback Andrew Luck has been nominated for the NFL's Week 12 FedEx Air Player of the Week award for his performance in the Indianapolis Colts' 27-24 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Luck went 30-of-37 passing (81.8%) for 343 yards and three touchdowns with a 109.8 passer rating in the latest of a string of top-notch performances from the seventh-year signal caller.
He was also nominated for the FedEx Air award last week for the Colts' Week 11 victory over the Tennessee Titans, but was not able to bring it home. He did, however, win the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award. You can help make sure Luck wins it this time around by clicking here and voting to for him as many times as possible.
"Andrew, man. He's unbelievable, man. He's a guy you want on your team," wide receiver T.Y. Hilton told reporters after the game. "You've got to love to have him. "
It's become a weekly occurrence for Luck to fly through the Colts franchise and NFL record books. Here is a rundown of what he accomplished historically on Sunday:
» His first touchdown pass of the day broke a tie with Jim Kelly (161) for the eighth-most touchdown passes in a player's first seven seasons in NFL history.
» Luck's third touchdown pass took him past Matthew Stafford (163) for seventh place in NFL history for touchdown passes in a player's first seven seasons.
» His third touchdown — which tied the game late in the fourth quarter — also tied Peyton Manning for the most consecutive games with at least three touchdown passes in franchise history. Luck now has accomplished that feat in eight straight contests, which ranks as the second longest streak in NFL history to Tom Brady's 10 consecutive games with three passing touchdowns in 2007.
» With 343 passing yards, it moves Luck into second place all-time in NFL history as his 31st game with at least 300 yards passing within his first seven seasons. That breaks a tie with Manning, Matt Ryan, Stafford and Kurt Warner.
» Sunday was the fifth straight game Luck has had a passer rating better than 100, which is a personal best and also ties Manning for the third-longest streak in franchise history.
» Luck reached his 20th fourth-quarter or overtime game-winning drive of his career and his second this season. That mark is tied for the third-best in the NFL since Luck came into the league in 2012.
Another milestone for Luck was his first-career reception in the second quarter. On 4th and 1, Luck caught a heater from Jacoby Brissett before taking a hit from Dolphins safety Reshad Jones. The play worked, though, picking up four yards, and the Colts scored on a one-yard Jack Doyle reception six plays later to go up 14-7.
Luck tossed two interceptions at the end of the first half, but the Dolphins were unable to take advantage of either opportunity. Luck overcame the miscues and led the team to victory after trailing by 10 in the fourth quarter.
In the process of their comeback, Luck had a signature Andrew Luck moment.
Tied at 24 with two minutes remaining in the game, Luck took action. On 3rd and 9, he took the shotgun snap from his own 43-yard line and scanned the field, but pressure came crashing in. Luck stepped up, but stumbled. He regained his footing with his eyes downfield and found receiver Chester Rogers wide open down the left side of the field for 34 yards, putting the Colts inside Miami's 25-yard line.
"12 – I'm happy he's my quarterback. For real. He never surprises me," Colts tight end Eric Ebron — who caught two of Luck's touchdowns — said after the game. "I think I was yelling in his ear the whole time. I don't think he likes me right now because I might've blew his eardrum out. Yeah, that was a nice throw."
"For him to come up out of the pocket and make the play with him and Chester (Rogers)," Hilton said, "that was a huge play."
The pass set up "The GOAT," Adam Vinatieri, to nail the 32-yard game winner just four plays later.
The victory helped separate the Colts from the pack in the AFC wild card playoff chase; at 6-5, Indy is tied for the sixth and final postseason spot.
As previously mentioned, Luck was nominated for last week's FedEx Air award; this is actually the third time he's been nominated for the award this year. He also got the nod after throwing for a career-high 464 yards and four touchdowns against the Houston Texans in Week 4. Luck's AFC Offensive Player of the Week honor last week, meanwhile, was the fifth time in his career that he's won that award.
