Andrew Luck was the first pick of the NFL Draft in April. Ryan Tannehill was the ninth pick in the same draft. On Sunday, Luck and Tannehill played head to head for the first time in a game with huge playoff implications in the AFC. When the dust settled, the Colts had defeated the Dolphins, 23-20.
Luck broke the NFL’s single-game rookie record by throwing for 433 yards. Cam Newton set the record last season when he passed for 422 yards.
Luck also passed for two touchdowns and completed 30 of his 48 passes. Donnie Avery and T.J. Hilton both had over 100 yards receiving, and Hilton caught one of Luck’s two touchdown passes. Reggie Wayne also caught one of Luck’s two touchdown passes.
Ryan Tannehill didn’t break any records but he did have a sold day for the Dolphins. Tannehill passed for 290 yards and a touchdown pass. Tannehill also avoided throwing an interception. Reggie Bush rushed for a highlight reel 18 yard touchdown in the second quarter.
In the end, Sunday was about the Colts. It was their coach, Chuck Pagano, who made his first appearance in Lucas Oil Stadium since being diagnosed with leukemia earlier in the season. It was their quarterback that set an NFL record. It was their kicker that nailed a 43 yard field goal to put the Colts up for good late in the fourth quarter. It’s the Colts that now find themselves in the driving seat for one of two wild-card berths in the AFC playoffs.
Next week, the Colts (5-3) will travel to Jacksonville to play the Jaguars on Thursday Night Football, and the Dolphins (4-4) will be home to play the Titans.
