Andrew Luck already has a blueprint for his month away from the Colts.INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts’ 19-16 victory over AFC South-champion Houston on Thursday certainly wasn’t enjoyed by all the fans.
Reggie Wayne’s 1-yard, game-winning touchdown catch with 19 seconds remaining was a fitting home finale if he leaves via free agency. But the win put the Colts in jeopardy of losing the Andrew Luck race.
If the Colts (2-13) win the final game of the season at Jacksonville (4-10) on Jan. 1, the top pick in the NFL draft will probably go to St. Louis or Minnesota. The Rams and Vikings enter today with two victories each.
If the Colts lose at Jacksonville, they still get the top pick – the tiebreaker is a weaker schedule – and get the chance to take the highly touted Stanford quarterback if he enters the draft.
“That’s not for the players to worry about,” running back Joseph Addai said. “I don’t worry about that. I just go out and keep playing ball.”
The Jaguars defeated the Colts 17-3 on Nov. 13 but have lost four of five games since. The Colts have won two in a row, paced by the play of quarterback Dan Orlovsky. He has completed 62.1 percent of his passes for 937 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions.
“This is just an amazing credit to our team,” Orlovsky said. “At 0-12 or 0-13, how easy it could have been for us to fold? At 1-13, I heard a lot of people say, ‘Well they’ve got one, they aren’t going to be part of history (becoming the second team to go 0-16).’ … When we walk out at the start of the game we refuse to come back in without a win. It’s just a credit to our guys. It’s just a really cool experience.”
Owner Jim Irsay said he will evaluate the coaching staff in the offseason, but head coach Jim Caldwell has strengthened his case to stay with the last two games. Irsay said he “believes in continuity. That is something that has served us well.”
Interim defensive coordinator Mike Murphy has shown he should be retained. Since replacing Larry Coyer, the Colts have gone 2-2 and have forced six turnovers.
If the Colts don’t get the top pick in the draft, the chances are heightened that they would bring back Peyton Manning. They have to decide by March 8 whether to pick up a $28 million option on Manning’s contract.
The four-time MVP hasn’t played this season after three neck surgeries in 19 months.
Irsay has said if Manning is healthy, he’ll likely be brought back, regardless of whether the Colts draft a quarterback.
“These things are always difficult, whenever you look at the history of great players of great franchises going through eras, and coming toward the ends of eras,” Irsay said.
“It is never easy. You try to manage your way through it, but this has been a very complex and difficult situation and it will remain one.”
