Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck facing major turning point this season

Oct 23, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) at the line during the first half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) at the line during the first half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has been playing great football in the second quarter of the season, and faces a big turning point in week 8…

The Indianapolis Colts are at a crossroads this season, and quarterback Andrew Luck is going to have to continue carrying the team on his back if they are going to make a serious run at the playoffs and the AFC South title.

Because the Tennessee Titans just played a Thursday night game, the Colts are currently in third place in the division behind the 4-3 Houston Texans and the (now) 4-4 Titans. The Colts, 3-4, have a huge home game this weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs that could wind up being a huge momentum shifter for this team the rest of the season.

It’s not that the division isn’t ‘win-able’ for the Colts. The AFC South is probably the worst division in football right now, and no one sees the Texans running away with anything despite their current first-place standing. Despite being just 3-4 and sitting in third place, you have to like the Colts’ chances because of one man:

Andrew Luck.

Luck was injured most of last season and wasn’t himself when he was able to get on the field. He has, thus far, thrown 14 touchdowns and is carrying this Colts team as best he can. He’s added another touchdown rushing this season, and is playing MVP-caliber football but the Colts are so bad otherwise, it hasn’t really mattered.

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This week provides a huge opportunity for the Colts to get back into the thick of things in the AFC South, get a big AFC victory against a solid Chiefs team, and prove they are ‘down’ right now but not out.

Luck is getting one of his primary targets in the passing game back this week in wide receiver Donte Moncrief. Moncrief has been out since the Colts’ loss in Denver to the Broncos back in the second week of the season, and his presence in the passing game is certain to open some more things up for the Indianapolis offense.

Prior to the season, Moncrief was considered a candidate for a major breakout now in his third season, and he had certainly justified that belief as of the end of last season, when he had just caught 64 passes for 733 yards and six touchdowns.

To continue to beat a dead horse, this week is a major opportunity for the Colts to make a small wave in the AFC playoff race. This is a division that is up for grabs, and beating the Chiefs would be a huge confidence booster.

Andrew Luck is going to have to be at his best to make it happen, and how could you bet against him?