Andrew Luck impresses Colts teammates in comeback win over Chiefs

Coach Chuck Pagano said he could end up the greatest who ever played the game.

Jan 5, 2014, 4:11 PM UTC

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Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Luck helped lead the Indianapolis Colts to one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history Saturday, overcoming a 38-10 third-quarter deficit to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the playoffs.

After throwing three interceptions earlier in the game, Luck recovered to finish with 443 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Colts to a 45-44 victory. After Donald Brown's 10-yard touchdown cut the lead to 38-17, Luck found Brown for a three-yard touchdown. Ryan Succop hit a field goal to put Kansas City back on the board, but Luck found Coby Fleener for a 12-yard score and then recovered Brown's goal-line fumble, dramatically running it into the end zone for a five-yard score to make it 41-38.

Ryan Succop hit another field goal to make it a six-point game, but with around four minutes to play, Luck found T.Y. Hilton for 64 yards and a touchdown, giving the Colts the lead and the win.

The Colts’ offensive line was awed by Luck’s leadership in the game and his willingness to stay positive, according to Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star.

"He kept telling us, even at 38-10, 'We're going to win this game','' Anthony Castonzo said.

Gosder Cherilus agreed with Castonzo, giving some insight into Luck's confidence in the huddle.

“Andrew kept saying, ‘Stay with me, stay with me,’ ” Cherilus said. “He willed us to this win.”

The front office had even higher praise, as head coach Chuck Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson spoke glowingly of Luck to Albert Breer of NFL.com.

"There's been some great ones," Pagano said, still smiling in disbelief. "But ( Andrew Luck is) gonna go down as probably one of the best, if not the best, ever to play this game when everything is all said and done. We're very, very fortunate to have No. 12 on our side."

"He's like a lineman," Grigson said. "He identifies with every person on this roster. He doesn't have a holier-than-thou attitude. He never has. He's one of the guys. But he's also our leader. He's been incredible. You see it. The talent's there. But the heart is something. They don't measure it at the (NFL Scouting Combine), and he's got the biggest one in this league."