Luck's ability to forget past errors allows Indianapolis to quickly turn attention to Jaguars
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Andrew Luck does not like to let his mistakes linger.
For him, embarrassing plays do not become defining moments and wins as well as losses are quickly cast aside.
Instead, the Colts and their third-year quarterback are continually looking at their next challenge. So Sunday's game against Jacksonville can't come soon enough.
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"As a team, there's definitely a sense of urgency and haste to get out there and make things right," Luck said.
All week, the Colts (6-4) have attempted to deflect attention from another stinging loss to New England.
But it's also clear that Luck & Co. believe they have something to prove over the final six games.
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Indy's defense, which played so well in a five-week stretch earlier this year, has allowed two of its past three opponents to top 40 points.
The running game that was piling up more than 100 yards per game early this season finished with just 19 yards against the Patriots and has lost running back Ahmad Bradshaw for the rest of the season with a fractured left leg.
The Colts are even hoping this week's signing of three-time Pro Bowler Josh Cribbs adds some excitement into the return game.
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All of which puts more of a burden on Luck's strong right arm.
The timing for a rebound couldn't seem better.
The Jaguars (1-9) have lost three straight, are 0-4 on the road this season and are 1-4 against Luck.
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Plus, they're relying on a rookie quarterback, Blake Bortles, to snap their skid.
"The team that I expect to see is a team that really executes very well because that's the team I've seen since I've been the head coach here," Jacksonville's Gus Bradley said. "They execute very well, they make good decisions, all three phases are strong. They just play really, really good football."
That wasn't the case last week when the Patriots rolled to a 42-20 victory.
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But in Luck's 41 previous regular-season starts, Indy has lost back-to-back games only one time — Weeks 1 and 2 this season. Of course, with the Colts' short-term memories, that seems like a long time ago.
"We're hungry, ready to get back to work," Luck said. "We realize it's a new week and all focus is on to the Jaguars, but I think the mindset is good."
Here are some other things to watch Sunday.
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LUCKY 9: Luck's record-chasing quest takes two more twists this week. He can become the first player in league history other than Drew Brees to throw for 300 yards in nine consecutive games. Brees has done it twice. Luck also could break Peyton Manning's single-season franchise record for most 300-yard games. They're tied at 10.
SECOND LOOK: Bortles made his NFL debut in the second half of the first game against the Colts. He was 14 of 24 with 223 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, but played well enough to earn the starting job. This week marks the first time Bortles faces a rematch in the NFL. It will be interesting to see how Bortles adapts — and how the Colts adjust.
STILL CLIMBING: Reggie Wayne is celebrating his birthday week with another major milestone. On Sunday, Wayne can tie John Unitas for the second-most games played (206) in franchise history. Only Manning had a longer tenure (208 games). If the now-36-year-old Wayne stays healthy, he would surpass Manning's mark Dec. 14 against Houston in Indy's regular-season home finale — a game that could be Wayne's last regular-season home game in a Colts uniform. His contract ends after the season.
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PRESSURE PACKED: If the Jaguars intend to slow down the Colts, they must pressure Luck. Fortunately, for the Jags, that's one of their strengths. Jacksonville enters this weekend with 28 sacks, seventh in the NFL and five behind the second-place Eagles.
THE STREAK: The Colts have dominated the AFC South since its inception in 2002, winning eight division titles and finishing second three times. But no team has been better recently inside the division, either. Since losing at Houston on Dec. 16, 2012, the Colts have won 10 straight against division foes.
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