Jets plans to pressure Luck
Andrew Luck still remembers the pressure he faced in Round 1 against Todd Bowles’ defence.
Twenty-two months ago, the Colts’ second-year quarterback was still trying to learn how to challenge the NFL’s best defensive minds — and the Arizona Cardinals defensive co-ordinator seemed to have Luck figured out.
On Monday night, Luck will get his second chance against Bowles, now the New York Jets’ head coach. The three-time Pro Bowler doesn’t expect things to get any easier.
“You look at it and look and see where they attacked you in protections, runs and how they did it,” Luck said when asked if that November 2013 game can help this week. “So there is stuff to be taken from that.”
Sure a lot has changed since that 40-11 loss, one of Luck’s most forgettable: 20 of 39 for 163 yards with one TD and one interception, and a quarterback rating of 60.1.
Since then, he’s led the Colts (0-1) to two division titles, three playoff wins, last season’s AFC Championship Game, and emerged as one of the league’s next big things.
Bowles changed teams, not philosophies. He took his aggressive play calling and those tenure-defining blitzes from Arizona to New York (1-0), where he’s working with nine first-round draft picks, including defensive tackle Leonard Williams, the No. 6 overall selection in April.
Last week, Bowles’ defence wreaked havoc on Cleveland by forcing five turnovers and converting them into 21 points.
Indy, meanwhile, had three giveaways in its season-opening loss at Buffalo, something the Colts know they can’t afford again.
So Bowles is preparing his team to face Luck’s new and improved team.
“We’re expecting their best. We know they’re a playoff-calibre team. We know they won the division the last couple of years,” Bowles said.
Here are some other things to watch Monday night:
HOLDING THE LINE: Last week, the Colts struggled to protect Luck, who was sacked twice and hurried into short throws most of the day. The defence also allowed Buffalo to rush for 147 yards. Both areas must improve this week for the Colts.
INJURY LIST: The Colts initially feared Pro Bowl receiver T.Y. Hilton would miss several weeks with a left knee injury, but the MRI revealed only a bruise. He’s listed as day to day. When Jets CB Antonio Cromartie was taken off the field last week, it looked like his season might be over. It turned out to be a sprained left knee.
SATURDAY’S NIGHT: Former Colts centre Jeff Saturday, now an ESPN analyst, will become the 12th member of Indy’s ring of honour at halftime.