AFC South Breakdown: The Reigning Champs

Dec 14, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) shakes hands with Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) after their game at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Indianapolis Colts won, 17-10 to clinch the AFC South Division. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

The AFC South is a division which has been dominated by the Indianapolis Colts since being formed in 2002, the same year the Houston Texans were initiated into the NFL. The Colts have won the division nine times since that season, including four of the past six.

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The Houston Texans won it the two times in-between those six and the only other team to win the division is the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee won those divisional titles in 2002, the inaugural year, and again 2008.

Today we check out the defending champions of the AFC South, the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are the team that has the lucky numbers when it comes to the NFL Draft as they were able to get quarterback Peyton Manning to make them relevant for more than a decade, then they moved to Andrew Luck, who will do the same.

Oct 9, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) scrambles against Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

How Good Is Luck?

At 25 years-old, there are already legends of the intellect that Luck has. While it is true that the young man picked first overall out of Stanford in 2012 is very smart, is he as infallible as many want you to believe?

Well, no…he isn’t without flaws. He is however, the best young quarterback in the game and is only getting better each and every year. 2012 and 2013 saw flashes of what the young man could do as he went over 4,000 yards as a rookie and had 23 touchdown passes in each year.

But 2014 saw him absolutely break out with 4,761 yards and 40 touchdowns. He has also shown his versatility as he has over 900 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns on the ground in his three-year career.

Yet the one thing that keeps this man from being perfect is his high number of turnovers. After 18 picks as a rookie, it seemed to have slowed down his second year where he only had nine passes intercepted.

However in 2014 he again had a high number of passes go the wrong way as he was intercepted 16 more times this past year.

A lot of the problem for Luck in this area has to be the lack of a running game that opponents respect. Running back Trent Richardson was an absolute bust and they keep having to turn to players like Dan Herron and Vick Ballard for help. Luck has to do way too much on his own, but to take that final step, he still has to find a way to limit the picks.

Next: The Supporting Cast