Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts appear on regional cover of Sports Illustrated

(Andrew Hancock/SI)

Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts playing in Super Bowl XLVIII in New York? It could happen, says Andy Benoit in this week's issue of Sports Illustrated.

Fresh off an improbable comeback over the Chiefs, the Colts are rolling -- and Luck is the reason why.

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"While America has been captivated by the ‘revolutionary’ likes of Colin Kaepernick, Russell Wilson and RG3, Andrew Luck has quietly emerged as one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks," writes Benoit. "Not best young quarterbacks; best quarterbacks, period. Luck’s numbers -- 23 TDs in each of his two years, 81.5 passer rating -- aren’t staggering. But his 10 game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or OT (including that gem against the Chiefs) and his 23 victories are.”

"Luck is at the heart of the Colts’ success. The NFL loves pocket passers; the 24-year-old is that and more," Benoit writes. "Not only can he cycle through manifold progressions to find receivers, but he can also work guys open with improvisation. Much like Ben Roethlisberger, Luck extends plays with strength and athleticism. While Roethlisberger flourishes as things break down, Luck flourishes by keeping things together."

The fourth-seeded Colts face the No. 2-seeded Patriots Saturday, Jan. 11.

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