Though the image of Colts quarterback Andrew Luck manually circling a game on a paper calendar is completely believable given his penchant for aging media, he won't be doing it anytime this preseason. Not even when the Patriots are coming to town Oct. 18 in prime time.
"The Patriots are obviously the defending Super Bowl champs and our defending conference champs so there's a high amount of respect for that team and what they do," Luck recently told BritViewNFL.com. "They're the kings of the league right now and everybody would like to de-throne them -- we'd like to de-throne them but you have to look at the season as 16 games. There are fans and media who will hype up certain games and circle them in red on the calendar but, as a player, you lose sight of what's important if you get into that mode."
Every game is an important one for the Colts. Despite not making our recent list of teams that have the most to lose by losing in 2015, they have loaded their roster to the gills with talented veterans working on a short window.
Though owner Jim Irsay has appeared patient in the media, there's no doubt he sees this year as a potential Super Bowl title season. Coach Chuck Pagano has also welcomed a make-or-break situation given his current contract status.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast discusses Jason Pierre-Paul's firework incident, and reviews recent 'Making the Leap' candidates. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.