Dec 9 2012, Indianapolis, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) and coach Bruce Arians congratulate each other late in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeated Tennessee 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Horseshoe Hero

Colts 27 - Titans 23

The Colts recorded their 6th 4th-quarter comeback of the season Sunday afternoon, overtaking the Tennessee Titans for the second time in 2012 at home in Lucas Oil Stadium. Andrew Luck and Co. turned in yet another sloppy 1st half performance only to come out more polished and determined in the second half. Having now moved to 9-4 on the season, the Colts have all but assured themselves a spot in the playoffs. It’s guaranteed, but the odds are in their favor. Their success can be contributed to a true, unified team effort.

Offense

Once again, Andrew Luck struggled in the first half, throwing the ball high, missing some open receivers, and making some poor decisions, including a horrific-looking pick-six right into Will Witherspoon’s chest (The score actually should have been overturned, for Luck was down before he released the ball). The mistakes caused the Colts to fall behind early, and the team walked into the locker room at halftime with a 13-point deficit. But Luck turned the heat on in the final two quarters, making some big plays (Luck seems to play a bold, high-risk/high-reward style of football) and getting his team into scoring contention. In the end, Luck completed 16 of his 34 passes for 196 yards, a touchdown, and 2 INTs.

Part of Luck’s early struggles could be attributed to the O-Line, who struggled against Tennessee’s rush. There were also a myriad of significant offensive injuries. Samson Satele, Winston Justice, Coby Fleener, Delone Carter, and Robert Hughes all left the game at various points throughout the afternoon. By the game’s end, Vick Ballard was the only healthy running back left on the field, but he did a solid job carrying the load, rushing 94 yards on 19 caries. Before Carter left, he contributed the team’s only rushing score of the afternoon on a 1-yard run in the third quarter.

On the receiving end, Reggie Wayne was his usual brilliant self, catching a beautiful touchdown in the first quarter and leading the team in receptions (6) and receiving yards (64). A myriad of other receivers got their hands on the ball too. Hilton and Avery had 31 and 50 yards on the day, respectively.

Defense

The defense had trouble stopping the Titans through the air, but they again impressively held running back Chris Johnson to a meager 44 yards on 19 carries. There were also some major playmakers. Both corners player impressively. Vontae Davis probably had his best game as a Colt, and although Cassius Vaughn struggled early, he had a big interception in the third quarter  that he ran back into the end zone for a score. Darius Butler also recorded an interception that led to a Colts field goal.

Special Teams

The special teams kickers were the stars of the game. Once again, Adam Vinatieri‘s field goal was the game winner. He also kicked a 53-yarder in addition to his 2 PATs, making him a perfect 5-5 on the day. His 9 points accounted for 1/3 of the team’s point total.

Pat McAfee kicked an incredible 52-yard punt in the third quarter to the Tennessee 1-yard line. It was a perfect coffin corner kick, and it would eventually set the Colts up for the touchdown-scoring drive that put them back in the game. On the day, his 4 kicks averaged 53.3 yards. Boomstick!

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Next Sunday, the Colts will take on the AFC-leading Houston Texans for the first time this season. The two haven’t seen each other since last year when the then 1-12 Colts beat them in an unforgettable edition of Thursday Night Football. Will the Colts upset their heavily-favored rival? Horseshoe Hero will have the game recap for you after the score is final.

Stay #CHUCKSTRONG, Colts fans!

Horseshoe Hero

Colts 9 - Jets 35

In their least productive outing of the season, the Colts lost a blowout to the New York Jets, 35-9 in the Meadowlands. After prevailing in most dramatic fashion over the Green Bay Packers last week, the Colts, injury depleted and perhaps tired from the effort, failed to reach the end zone for the entirety of the game. The team could get neither the passing nor the running game going, and the defense struggled, especially up front. Unfortunately, the horseshoe heroes were few and far between, but one reliable special teams player more than did his part.

Offense

Andrew Luck struggled. Even as I type this, I question whether that is a typo. But Luck had two not-so-pretty interceptions on the day, and although he threw for almost 300 yards, he completed just 50% of his passes, none of which reached the end zone. Luck may have been trying to do too much, attempting to compensate for the run game that was left all but nonexistent (just 41 net rushing yards) after losing top back Donald Brown to injury last week (He will be out another 1-2 weeks). However, I have no doubt that Luck will rebound. He is too mentally tough and physically talented to struggle for long.

Defense

Giving up 35 points is never a good thing. The Colts defense took a dramatic step backward on Sunday, suffering from the pre-game loss of Robert Mathis and the in-game loss of Cory Redding. Jerry Hughes, stepping up in Mathis’ absence, recorded the team’s only sack. But little else was done, and even Tim Tebow was able to complete a pass against the Colts on a fake punt. The Jets were in control through all four quarters.

Special Teams

The special teams unit was the only group to play up to the team’s high standards. Kicker Adam Vinatieri contributed all 9 of the team’s points, successfully kicking 3 fields, including yet another 50-yarder. Year in and year out, Vinatieri amazes me. Is this man really almost 40 years old? He is without question this week’s most deserving horseshoe hero.

While the crushing loss is hard to swallow, Colts fans must remember that their team is young and simply experiencing some growing pains. The group has already matched their win total from last year just 5 games into the season, and potential bursts at the seems of Indianapolis. Will the Colts rebound next week at home against the Browns? Horseshoe Hero will be here to let you know.

Stay Chuckstrong, Colts fans!

Colts 23 - Vikings 20

Horseshoe Hero

The Colts needed just two games to get their first win of the regular season, surging ahead with mere seconds left on the clock to defeat the Minnesota Vikings in front of a sold out home crowd on Sunday afternoon. With a record of 1-1, the Colts are no longer the league’s statistically worst team. Although the effort was a bit scrappy, the Colts earned every bit of their hard-fought win, and quarterback Andrew Luck shined. In fact, many players left their marks on the field, on all sides of the ball.

Offense

It’s no secret Andrew Luck has the athletic ability to succeed in the NFL, but on Sunday, Luck proved that he also has the mental ability to be an elite NFL quarterback. If Luck had any negative memories from last week’s less-than-ideal debut, he erased them, and he played with poise, strength, and tenacity in his second start. Luck completed almost 65% of his passes, including two impressive touchdown tosses in the first half. In the first quarter, Luck accounted for 81 yards of an 80-yard, 13-play touchdown drive. He was consistent all afternoon and threw no interceptions – 3 fewer than last week. Luck is an analytical player, and he’s learning to cut through defenses very quickly. He was even the team’s second-leading rusher.

Donnie Avery, a free agent acquisition this offseason, was also pretty stellar in his second outing as a Colt. On the team’s first touchdown drive, he caught 3 passes for 65 yards, and on the day, he caught a team-high 9 receptions for 111 yards. It was tight end Dwayne Allen who earned the day’s first touchdown, though. Not only was it the rookie’s first ever score, but it was also his first ever reception. Reggie Wayne had a pretty 30-yard touchdown reception of his own in the end zone and was the team’s second-leading receiver with 6 receptions for 71 yards.

Although Luck was again under pressure for much of the game, the offensive line was much improved this week, especially since the team lost center Samson Satele early in the game to injury. Mike McGlynn took over and more than held his own, and Trai Essex, who signed with the Horseshoe just 6 days ago, stepped in to play at right guard – remarkable! The battered line was all heart.

Defense

The defense also stepped up their game this week. They held Adrian Peterson to just 60 yards and prevented the Vikings’ star running back from scoring a single touchdown – something that just does not happen very often. Cornerback Jerraud Powers led the team with 7 tackles, while Robert Mathis, Kavell Connor, and Jerry Hughes – yes, Jerry Hughes – were all credited with sacks. Hughes, who has struggled in recent seasons, seems to be thriving in the Colts’ new 3-4 defensive scheme. Jerrell Freeman, who ran an interception back for a touchdown last week against Chicago, forced a fumble this week, and Cory Redding recovered a fumble. Both are new to the Colts this year as well.

Special Teams

The special teams players were the real heroes on Sunday. Adam Vinatieri, who missed his only field goal attempt last week, saved the day by kicking the game winner – a 53 yarder – with just 8 seconds remaining in the game. All 5 of his kicks (3 FG, 2 PAT) sailed perfectly through the uprights. Pat McAfee – who I’ve since learned has read this column (Thank you, Mr. McAfee!) – kept up his stellar play as well and even upped his game from last week, averaging 53.6 yards on 5 punts. His net punting average was 43.4.

The Colts played like a real team unit – a winning one, at that – on Sunday. I look forward to the great things in store for them, especially when they get some players back from injury, like Dwight Freeney, Austin Collie, and Pat Angerer.

Congrats on the first win, Colts Nation! Horseshoe Hero will be back next week when the Colts take on Jacksonville at home. For more, you can follow me on Twitter @catierae08.