Andrew Luck’s 20 Interceptions in 2014
Interception 8
Situation: 2nd and 5, ball on IND 28
Description: (No Huddle, Shotgun) A.Luck pass short left intended for H.Nicks INTERCEPTED by W.Gay at IND 33. W.Gay for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Offensive Formation: Shotgun 3 WRs Trips Right
Defensive Formation: 3-4 Nickel Cover 3
Pittsburgh is giving Luck a Cover 3 look. Hakeem Nicks is running a 10 yard curl which Gay keys in on as soon as Nicks stops his route. Luck does what he’s supposed to on this play. He doesn’t see any underneath coverage and makes the throw to Nicks as soon as he breaks into his curl. Where Luck messed up is in his failed recognition of Gay in deep coverage. Luck keyed in on Nicks as he made the turn to finish his route, but Gay was coming back to jump the route as soon as Luck goes to make the throw. If Luck pump fakes he can catch Gay being over aggressive and hit Nicks on a deep pass to the sideline. Part of this interception does fall on Nicks for running a bit of a bad route. He sold the curl early on and allowed Gay to get a better jump on the ball. You can see Nicks turn his body before he comes to a full stop which sells the play far too early. In short, I’d put this about even split between Luck and Nicks on whose fault it was, but also give some credit to Gay for making a good read and getting a great jump on the throw to make the interception.
Interception 9
Situation: 1st and 10, ball on PIT 27
Description: (No Huddle, Shotgun) A.Luck pass deep right intended for T.Hilton INTERCEPTED by A.Blake at PIT -4. Touchback.
Offensive Formation: Shotgun 2 WRs 2 TE Trips Right
Defensive Formation: 3-4 Nickel Cover 3
Here’s the pre-snap routes and deep coverage zones.
There are going to be 4 deep targets with only 3 deep coverage zones. Someone is going to be uncovered, or at least open long enough for a pass. In most cover 3 looks you aren’t going to be able to expose an opening on the deep throw to the sideline. Your best bet to beat a cover 3 zone is to look for a mid-range throw on the sideline or a throw under the short zones. However, the Colts are running a 4 verticals play so there is no short or mid-range passing option so Luck is going to be forced to make a tough throw regardless of where he goes with the ball. Now here is where Luck makes his mistake.
This was just a poor decision by Luck. Hilton is not getting open in the endzone on this play. Luck has to know that in a Cover 3 the outside receivers are not going to be open on the deep route. He has to know to look inside to find the gaps in the coverage and hit his receivers there. Dwayne Allen had the best shot of getting open in the endzone, while Coby Fleener had a brief opening around the 10 yard line. While the throw to Allen would have been the safest, Luck could definitely have made the throw to Fleener with the velocity he puts on the ball. I think this is simply a case of Luck trying to force a throw to his best receiver and failing to do so.
Interception 10
Situation: 2nd and 13, ball on NE 32
Description: (Shotgun) A.Luck pass short middle intended for R.Wayne INTERCEPTED by D.McCourty (D.Revis) at NE 22. D.McCourty to NE 32 for 10 yards (C.Fleener).
Offensive Formation: Shotgun 3 WRs TE Wide Left
Defensive Formation: 4-3 Nickel Wide 9 Cover 1
Luck needs to move around in the pocket on this throw. He lets himself get pressured when he has space to his right to move to. He has to be able to recognize the space forming to his right and move to it. I don’t think he throws this interception if he gives himself more space on the throw.
Interception 11
Situation: 2nd and 9, ball on IND 39
Description: (No Huddle, Shotgun) A.Luck pass short middle intended for R.Wayne INTERCEPTED by R.Clark at WAS 47. R.Clark to IND 45 for 8 yards (T.Hilton). FUMBLES (T.Hilton), ball out of bounds at IND 45.
Offensive Formation: Shotgun Empty 3 WRs
Defensive Formation: 3-3-5 Cover 1
Luck needs to place this ball better. Wayne has a corner on his back before this ball is thrown. He can beat the CB if he’s given a ball to his chest or out in front of him. By putting the ball behind him, Luck allows the CB to get a hand on the ball and deflect it.
Interception 12
Situation: 2nd and 10, ball on IND 12
Description: (Shotgun) A.Luck pass short right intended for R.Wayne INTERCEPTED by J.Gilbert [A.Rubin] at IND 23. J.Gilbert for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Offensive Formation: Shotgun 4 WRs
Defensive Formation: 3-4 Sub Package Cover 1
Luck is at fault on this interception because he never takes his eyes off Reggie Wayne.
The Browns drop back in man coverage and Justin Gilbert makes a great read on this play. He focuses on Luck while he’s in his backpedal. As Luck draws back to throw Gilbert anticipates the throw and jumps the route. Luck never froze the safety, looked off the defense, or even checked the left side of the field. His focus was completely on the right side and Reggie Wayne. Great defense by Gilbert; poor throw by Luck.
Interception 13
Situation: 2nd and 5, ball on IND 42
Description: (No Huddle, Shotgun) A.Luck pass short right intended for T.Hilton INTERCEPTED by J.Leonhard at CLE 43. J.Leonhard to IND 23 for 34 yards (C.Fleener).
Offensive Formation: Shotgun 2 WRs TE Wide Right
Defensive Formation: 3-4 Nickel Man Cover 2
This interception is not even remotely Luck’s fault. Hilton has to make this catch. There’s just no excuse for this drop.
Interception 14
Situation: 3rd and 9, ball on IND 16
Description: (Shotgun) A.Luck pass short left intended for C.Fleener INTERCEPTED by K.Lewis at IND 27. K.Lewis for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Offensive Formation: Shotgun 3 WRs TE Slot Left
Defensive Formation: 3-4 Sub Package Cover 2 Zone
This throw from Luck is just bad. He’s so far behind Fleener that he can’t even deflect the pass. Lewis makes the easy catch on the throw right to him. Credit to Luck for trying to clean up his mess, but this is an all around bad throw from him.
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