USA TODAY International Edition
Colts QB Luck sizzling hot after full year off
Who’s hot: Andrew Luck. For all the buzz in the NFL about the hot quarterbacks on the hottest teams, don’t sleep on the progressive rebound of the Colts franchise player. After he missed last season following the winding rehab from shoulder surgery, Luck’s comeback is cemented by consistency. He’s sparked a resurgence by the Colts (4-5), who can suddenly think of chasing AFC South leader Houston (6-3) while riding a three-game winning streak. And he’s passed for three touchdowns in six consecutive games. (Hey, Patrick Mahomes hasn’t even done that.) Luck’s 26 TD passes rank second to the 31 of the young K.C. marvel. With two more TD throws against the Titans on Sunday, Luck would become the third player in NFL history to pass for 160 TDs in his first 70 games. The first two? Dan Marino (182) and Aaron Rodgers (160). Not a bad reminder that Luck has picked up from where he was pre-injury. Another challenge, though, comes with the visit from Tennessee, which leads the NFL in scoring defense at 16.8 points per game.
A quick glance at other items of interest as NFL Week 11 rolls on …
Pressure’s on: Doug Pederson and Jim Schwartz. The Eagles (4-5) can still make a run at winning the NFC East, especially with two games on the docket against Washington. But first thing first. The defending Super Bowl champions head into the Superdome trying to derail the hottest team in the NFL. The Saints (8-1) have won eight in a row while averaging an NFL-best 36.6 points per game, and the Philly D is hurting on the back end. The best cornerback, Ronald Darby, suffered a torn ACL last weekend, while nickel back Sidney Jones and corner Jalen Mills are trying to work back from injuries. Sure, the Eagles won the crown last season despite losing Carson Wentz amid numerous significant setbacks. But this season has also been marked by slow starts from Pederson’s offense and the inability for Schwartz’s D to finish games. And there’s this: Center Jason Kelce maintained the “accountability” that existed last season hasn’t been there. Intended or not, that reflects on Pederson. So add that to the issues while the “real” Eagles try to reemerge before it’s too late.
Next man up: Lamar Jackson … or Robert Griffin III. With Joe Flacco hobbled by a hip injury, the Ravens’ projected heir apparent could make his first NFL start against a Bengals defense that has allowed 500 yards in three consecutive games. Then again, even the status of the potential replacement has twists as Jackson missed Thursday’s practice (as did Flacco) because of a stomach illness. That left RGIII to take all the reps on Thursday. Hmmm. Perhaps Griffin is a better choice to sub anyway, given that they kept him on the roster as insurance and that the Ravens are desperate with a three-game losing streak. But after trading back into the first round to select Jackson, Baltimore has seemingly itched to get more pop from its Wildcat offense with the huge upside. Maybe they start Griffin and increase Jackson’s Wildcat snaps, then see what flows. Rookie watch: Leighton Vander Esch. The Cowboys’ first-round pick has had a steady progression, pressed into more action by another Sean Lee injury setback. His undeniable breakout game came at Philadelphia last Sunday night when he notched his first NFL pick. His 19 tackles included 13 solo stops. The development alongside second-year pro Jaylon Smith has not only provided Dallas with an inspiring foundation at the linebacker, but to this point also validates why the Cowboys were willing to select him 19th overall while draft analysts had the Boise State product pegged as a second-rounder. If the playoffs were today: Houston, 4-12 last season, would have completed a worst-to-first turnaround as AFC South champs. And they’ve gone from worst to first this season, too, as the first NFL team since the 1970 Giants (quarterbacked by Fran Tarkenton) to win six consecutive games after starting 0-3. It
matters that the centerpiece players, J.J. Watt and Deshaun Watson, have returned to form off major injuries last season. But whom have they played? Washington (6-3) is the first team the Texans (6-3) will face this season with a winning record. Still, given Washington’s injury woes, this might be a classic “trap” game for Houston.
Stomach for an upset: Steelers at Jaguars. As big of a surprise as it was when Jacksonville thumped Big Ben & Co. in Week 5 last season, then ended Pittsburgh’s campaign in the AFC divisional playoffs, it would be more stunning if the Jaguars sprung an upset this time. The Steelers are rolling with a fivegame winning streak, while the Jaguars, carrying a five-game losing streak, are the biggest disappointment in the NFL. What happened? Blake Bortles has regressed. Leonard Fournette, the key difference-maker to watch on Sunday, has missed much of the season with hamstring issues. The defense no longer dominates games. And yes, Jalen Ramsey talks a bit. Then again, what better opponent than the Steelers to challenge the Jaguars to get their groove back.
Did you notice? Falcons safety Damontae Kazee, who stepped into a starting role after Keanu Neal went down for the season in Week 1, leads the NFL with five interceptions. A 2017 fifth-round pick from San Diego State, he’s also developed well enough to be entrusted with calling the defensive signals.
Stat’s the fact: Sizzling Saints running back Alvin Kamara needs 27 receiving yards to become the fourth player in NFL history to produce 500 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in each of their first two seasons. Edgerrin James was last to hit the mark (1999, 2000), joining Herschel Walker (1986-87) and Abner Haynes (1960-61).