Vin+ 3,121 Posted December 6, 2013 http://hosted.stats.com/fb/preview.asp?g=20131208004&home=4&vis=11 (AP) -- Chuck Pagano has never made it a secret that his top priority as the Indianapolis Colts' coach is to make sure his franchise quarterback has adequate protection. Keeping pass rushers away from Andrew Luck may be even more difficult with a banged-up offensive line Sunday as the visiting Colts try to clinch the AFC South title against the defensively stout Cincinnati Bengals. As a rookie last season, Luck helped guide the Colts to an 11-5 record and a postseason berth despite being sacked 41 times, fourth-most in the NFL. Luck has two touchdowns, five interceptions and a 66.7 passer rating over his last four contests, and he's been sacked 29 times this season. Though the overall frequency with which he's been sacked had decreased, he was dropped a season-worst five times in last week's 22-14 win over Tennessee. Making matters potentially worse, right guard Jeff Linkenbach is week to week after suffering a partial quad tear. He was playing in place of former starter Mike McGlynn, who has been dealing with a fractured thumb suffered in the loss to St. Louis on Nov. 10. Cincinnati (8-4) has recorded 18 sacks over its last five games - a stretch in which it's yielded an AFC-low 5.28 yards per pass attempt - leaving Pagano a bit worried heading into this matchup. "It's our biggest concern right now, first and foremost," Pagano said. "That's been since Day 1, since we drafted him No. 1, to protect 12. That's never going to change." Despite the uncertainty of the offensive line, the Colts (8-4) are in position to secure their eighth division title in 11 seasons with a win or a Tennessee loss to Denver. Sunday's winner also will have a leg up in the race for at least the No. 3 seed in the AFC. "We're sitting in a good position, but nothing is sealed up," Pagano said. "We control our own destiny. "They understand the record, they understand the division, they understand what we have to do to get into the playoffs. Certainly, we're not going to get ahead of ourselves. The worst thing we can do is get complacent." That hasn't been a problem for running back Donald Brown, who has fought to earn each and every carry this season. Slated as the backup to three different backs since training camp, Brown will make his second straight start after running for 54 yards last week. His 4-yard scoring run with 1:56 remaining capped an 11-play, 92-yard drive and accounted for Indianapolis' only touchdown. "I knew regardless of what happened, my number would get called in some form or fashion," Brown said. "When it is, you just make the most of it." Though it has been tough at times, Brown always has accepted his role. "He is the ultimate team guy," linebacker Robert Mathis said. "He doesn't like to talk about himself because he's not his favorite subject. He just goes to work and he just lets his play do all the talking." Mathis has done just that this season, leading the NFL with 15 1/2 sacks. He's one full sack away from breaking Dwight Freeney's single-season and career franchise records. Helping slow a solid Bengals running game may be his top priority Sunday, though. Cincinnati rushed for 164 yards in last week's 17-10 win at San Diego and has averaged 138.3 over its last four. The Bengals have used a balanced attack with BenJarvus Green-Ellis and rookie Giovani Bernard, as they are one of six teams yet to boast a 100-yard rusher. Green-Ellis finished with a season-best 92 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries against the Chargers, while Bernard ran 14 times for 57 yards. "It lets (offensive coordinator Jay Gruden) utilize his entire playbook and not limit him at all," Bernard said. "If there's a situation where I need to go in, he'll throw me in. If there's a situation he wants Benny in, he'll throw him in. It definitely helps us and we definitely use it to our advantage." The Colts rank 28th in rush defense, allowing an average of 128.6 yards. "I think for us we've been able to do different things. Certain games we've run the ball well and the run game has been working, and other games we've had to throw it a lot," Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton said. "I think for us it depends on the game and what we're needing to do that's helped us win a lot of games this year. "I think we can do so many different things, so as long as you're winning games and it's working, that's all that matters." Dalton finished 14 of 23 for 190 yards, one touchdown and one interception last week, but he's thrown six TDs and nine interceptions with a 59.8 passer rating over his last four. He threw for 264 yards and a touchdown pass to A.J. Green as Cincinnati beat Indianapolis 27-17 in the most recent meeting Oct. 16, 2011, snapping a seven-game skid in the series. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted December 6, 2013 The battle of the Andys! Rife mediocrity vs. Overrated Hype Machine. Luck is quickly becoming a QB who needs to be slaughtered week in and week out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted December 7, 2013 Big games for Green and Hilton please. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oochymp 2,393 Posted December 9, 2013 I posted this in the shoutbox, but decided it should go here too: BenJarvus Green-Ellis is some kind of good luck charm, after this game his team (New England or Cincy) is 30-4 when he scores a TD and 7-0 when he scores more than one TD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
әightninә. 39 Posted December 9, 2013 This game was infuriating to watch. Firstly, that "touchdown" was one of the worst calls I've seen in ten years of watching football. I'm not blaming the refs, however. The Colts' secondary fucking sucks. Not just a little bad. Absolutely fucking brutal. Every passing touchdown was a guy beat in man. Seriously. Look at the tape. Vontae Davis has gone from a reliable corner to an absolute joke. Darius Butler has gone from bad to worse. Look at AJ Green's touchdown and please tell me what he was trying to do. Hug his legs and hold on, and hope he doesn't catch it? Laron Landry looks slow from the safety position in help. The touchdown in the third quarter was a prime example. DHB is the worst wide receiver in the NFL. The man has pizza paddles for hands. I can't think of any player, ever, with more God-given ability at the position, with no hands. Just upsetting and a waste of talent. LaVon Brazill and Da'Rick Rogers, thank you for stepping up in place of Reggie Wayne. They were the two big bright spots. Andrew Luck was also pretty good. 300+ and 4 TDs are usually winning numbers. And he was their leading rusher. Seriously. He had more yards on one rush than Donald Brown and Trent Richardson had all day (individually). Trent Richardson has been a lost puppy in the offense. The offensive line isn't doing their job, but it is truly upsetting to see his talent being wasted. Just a bad game. I'm losing hope and thinking that it might be a classic Colts one-and-done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Burfict Storm 39 Posted December 10, 2013 This game was infuriating to watch. Firstly, that "touchdown" was one of the worst calls I've seen in ten years of watching football. I'm not blaming the refs, however. The Colts' secondary fucking sucks. Not just a little bad. Absolutely fucking brutal. Every passing touchdown was a guy beat in man. Seriously. Look at the tape. Vontae Davis has gone from a reliable corner to an absolute joke. Darius Butler has gone from bad to worse. Look at AJ Green's touchdown and please tell me what he was trying to do. Hug his legs and hold on, and hope he doesn't catch it? Laron Landry looks slow from the safety position in help. The touchdown in the third quarter was a prime example. DHB is the worst wide receiver in the NFL. The man has pizza paddles for hands. I can't think of any player, ever, with more God-given ability at the position, with no hands. Just upsetting and a waste of talent. LaVon Brazill and Da'Rick Rogers, thank you for stepping up in place of Reggie Wayne. They were the two big bright spots. Andrew Luck was also pretty good. 300+ and 4 TDs are usually winning numbers. And he was their leading rusher. Seriously. He had more yards on one rush than Donald Brown and Trent Richardson had all day (individually). Trent Richardson has been a lost puppy in the offense. The offensive line isn't doing their job, but it is truly upsetting to see his talent being wasted. Just a bad game. I'm losing hope and thinking that it might be a classic Colts one-and-done. You sound just like us a few years back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cherry 1,302 Posted December 11, 2013 LaVon Brazill and Da'Rick Rogers, thank you for stepping up in place of Reggie Wayne. They were the two big bright spots How do you think I felt watching us miss 6 tackles on one guy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
әightninә. 39 Posted December 12, 2013 LaVon Brazill and Da'Rick Rogers, thank you for stepping up in place of Reggie Wayne. They were the two big bright spots How do you think I felt watching us miss 6 tackles on one guy. You may have thought he was the second coming of Jesus Christ himself, or he rolled around in baby oil as soon as he caught it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
