Dolphins vs. Colts: Andrew Luck’s record-setting day keeps Indianapolis in the playoff chase

The center of a kinder, gentler universe shifted this weekend. Neighbors were still helping neighbors in the wake of the ravaged streets of Hurricane Sandy in the tri-state area, but America’s beating Hallmark heart moved to Indianapolis. Two feel-good stories collided. Exciting football was played. New history was written.

Every week, Luck leads a game-winning drive or makes some monster play to add another check in the win column for the Colts. It seems like that, anyway. The first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft now has four game-winning drives, the most in the league so far this season. The Colts are 5-3. You are free to draw your conclusions as to what’s happening here.

Luck bested the previous record set by Cam Newton last season. He has now thrown for at least 309 yards in four of his eight games played this season.

Fantasy Impact: Luck has had a few natural growing pains this season, but on Sunday he looked every bit the can’t-miss prospect he was hyped to be prior to the 2012 NFL Draft. The future is clearly very bright for the rookie out of Stanford.

Luck was 30-of-48 for 433 yards and two touchdowns in a masterful game for the rookie, who set a rookie record for passing yards in a game. Luck now has 1,971 yards, eight touchdowns and eight interceptions on the season and as expected, has been inconsistent at times his rookie year.

Indianapolis has a short week, taking on Jacksonville on Thursday Night Football on the NFL Network, with kickoff set for 8:20 p.m. ET.

The speech, found here, talked about the Colts as a football team who ‘refused to live in circumstances’ as Pagano spoke of the organization’s triumph against the odds. From there the speech got extremely personal, as the coach talked of his dual-desire to ensure he sees the Indianapolis Colts hoist multiple Lombardi Trophies, but also to see his two daughters get married, and dance at their weddings. It was a powerful speech that clearly resonated with the Colts.

The Colts have now won two straight and three of their last four contests. With Luck, their passing game ranks ninth in the NFL with 265.9 average yards per game. Defensively they rank seventh in the league in passing yards allowed, giving up 213 yards per contest.

Josh Wilson from Stampede Blue says Luck’s late-game play has Colts fans excited for a postseason run: