Andrew Luck’s 20 Interceptions in 2014

Last time I took a look at Andrew Luck’s touchdowns during the 2014 season. Now we’ll take a look at the other side of the coin. Andrew Luck threw 20 interceptions during the season and playoffs in 2014. For this article we’ll take a look at all of his interceptions to see what Luck still needs to improve on going into his 4th season.

Let’s start by looking at some stats on Luck’s interceptions.

Receiver Breakdown

Quarter Breakdown

Down Breakdown

Route Breakdown

Location Breakdown

Distance Breakdown

From this I noticed a slight pattern in Luck’s interceptions. He throws most of his interceptions on intermediate routes and routes that are under 15 yards. He also throws a lot of his interceptions on curl routes and on in and out routes. What that tells me, at least from a statistical standpoint, is that Luck has trouble identifying underneath coverage as that is usually the main cause of interceptions on those types of routes. A quarterback that cannot identify underneath coverage will struggle to complete passes over the middle of the field and throw interceptions to the players in short zones. However, this article is not about statistics, it’s about film analysis. So let’s take a look at Luck’s interceptions.

Interception 1

Situation: 2nd & 7, ball on IND 44

Description: A.Luck pass deep middle intended for D.Allen INTERCEPTED by R.Moore (A.Talib) at DEN 31. R.Moore to DEN 46 for 15 yards (D.Allen).

Offensive Formation: Singleback Bunch Right

Defensive Formation: Base 4-3 Cover 3

Luck just leads Allen a bit too far on this play. Luck makes the correct read, but the throw is just too far off target. He would have been better off throwing the ball directly to Allen instead of trying to lead him. A good defensive play by Talib and Moore turn this bad throw into an interception.

Interception 2

Situation: 2nd and 10, ball at DEN 32

Description: (Shotgun) A.Luck pass deep middle intended for C.Fleener INTERCEPTED by R.Moore at DEN 11. R.Moore to DEN 13 for 2 yards (G.Whalen).

Offensive Formation: Shotgun 3 WR

Defensive Formation: 4-3 Nickel Man Cover 2

This play is a bit of a tough call, but to me it look like Luck overthrew Fleener. The ball goes just over Fleener’s hands and Rahim Moore makes another spectacular interception. Luck also had Moncreif getting open over his man so I think this play has to fall on his shoulders.

Interception 3

Situation: 3rd and 9 at PHI 22

Description: (Shotgun) A.Luck pass short right intended for T.Hilton INTERCEPTED by M.Jenkins at PHI 16. M.Jenkins to PHI 24 for 8 yards (R.Wayne).

Offensive Formation: Shotgun 3 WRs

Defensive Formation: 3-4 Nickel Man Cover 2

To me, this play looks like pass interference, but it’s very close. If nothing else it looks like defensive holding, but Luck still shouldn’t have made this throw. I can understand trying to draw the pass interference penalty, but he was too late in making the throw, and left in the air for too long. I don’t think he made this throw with the intention of completing the pass, but he needs to get the ball out quicker if he wants to draw the PI flag.

Interception 4

Situation: 2nd and 5, ball on IND 22

Description: (No Huddle, Shotgun) A.Luck pass short right intended for H.Nicks INTERCEPTED by W.Woodyard at IND 32. W.Woodyard to IND 25 for 7 yards (A.Luck; C.Fleener).

Offensive Formation: Shotgun 3 WRs

Defensive Formation: Sub Package Cover 3

Luck does a very bad job of reading the coverage on this play. It looks like he sees the mistake he’s making as he goes to make the throw, but just can’t pull the ball back in time. Luck has to be able to identify the underneath coverage better on this play. It’s almost as if he doesn’t even see Woodyard until it’s too late. Luck does freeze the safeties on this play, but when he looks over to Nicks he stares him down for too long. Woodyard makes the correct read on this play and drops deeper into coverage to pick off Luck’s pass.

Interception 5

Situation: 2nd and 14, ball on BAL 35

Description: (Shotgun) A.Luck pass short right INTERCEPTED by H.Ngata [C.Mosley] at BAL 38. H.Ngata to BAL 41 for 3 yards (G.Cherilus).

Offensive Formation: Shotgun 4 WRs Trips Right

Defensive Formation: 3-3-5 Man Cover 2

There’s not really much I can say on this play. Luck doesn’t do anything wrong on this play. He stares down Nicks, but he’s making the correct read. Nicks gets open on the in-and-out move and Luck times his throw correctly by going for Nicks as he breaks out towards the sideline. C.J. Moseley just gets to him before he can complete the throw. A good heads up play by Ngata makes this an interception.

Interception 6

Situation: 3rd and 10, ball on BAL 10

Description: (Shotgun) A.Luck pass short left intended for A.Bradshaw INTERCEPTED by C.Mosley at BAL 0. C.Mosley to BAL 18 for 18 yards (L.Louis).

Offensive Formation: Shotgun 4 WRs

Defensive Formation: 3-3-5 Man Cover 2

Luck scrambles to his left and tries to force this ball to Bradshaw who’s in some pretty tight coverage. No one is open on this play and Luck just needs to throw this ball away.

Interception 7

Situation: 1st and 10, ball on IND 24

Description: A.Luck pass short middle intended for R.Wayne INTERCEPTED by J.Tuggle (J.Crick) at IND 34. J.Tuggle to IND 26 for 8 yards (R.Wayne).

Offensive Formation: Singleback Twin TEs Right

Defensive Formation: 3-4 Base Man Cover 2

I find it really hard to blame QBs for the interceptions on passes that are tipped at the line. Luck doesn’t do anything wrong on this play and makes the correct throw, but Crick times his jump perfectly and tips the ball at the line. A good reaction from Justin Tuggle turns this deflection into an interception.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Interception 15

Situation: 2nd and 22, ball on DAL 22

Description: (Shotgun) A.Luck pass deep middle intended for C.Fleener INTERCEPTED by J.Wilcox at DAL -9. J.Wilcox to DAL 37 for 46 yards (A.Luck).

Offensive Formation: Shotgun 2 TEs Bunch Right

Defensive Formation: 4-3 Nickel Cover 2 Zone

This interception is pretty forgivable. Not much time left on the clock, down by 28 points before halftime and Luck tries to find his receiver in the endzone. This ball isn’t placed well enough for a catch, and Wilcox makes a good play on the ball. Had the Colts not used their 3rd timeout Luck had a wide open Jack Doyle to his right. Doyle had the opportunity to make it to the sideline as well to possibly set up a better play, but it was clear the objective was to score a touchdown before halftime.

Interception 16

Situation: 2nd and 6, ball on IND 24

Description: (No Huddle, Shotgun) A.Luck pass short right intended for R.Wayne INTERCEPTED by A.Hitchens (N.Hayden) at IND 27. A.Hitchens to IND 19 for 8 yards (A.Luck). Hitchens intercepted pass after ball was tipped at the line of scrimmage by Nick Hayden.

Offensive Formation: Shotgun 3 WRs

Defensive Formation: 4-3 Nickel Cover 1

This is a good deflection at the line by Hayden. He does a great job of timing his swat and gets a hand on the pass. As I said earlier, I find it very hard to blame the QB in situations like this. Great defensive play and a bit of bad luck for Luck.

Interception 17

Situation: 3rd and 12, ball on IND 12

Description: (Shotgun) A.Luck pass deep middle intended for D.Moncrief INTERCEPTED by B.Roby at DEN 47. B.Roby to DEN 49 for 2 yards (D.Moncrief).

Offensive Formation: Shotgun 3 WRs

Defensive Formation: 4-3 Nickel Cover 1

Luck essentially makes what’s known as an “arm punt” on this play. Luck has a wide open Coby Fleener to his left and his running back is also open on the opposite side of the field. Instead of taking the safe throw on 3rd and long Luck goes for the homerun ball and throws it short. Luck doesn’t get his feet set properly and is throwing against his momentum so there is just no way he can get the ball as far as he wants to on this play. Not a good decision from Luck, and definitely an avoidable interception.

Interception 18

Situation: 3rd and 13, ball on IND 39

Description: (Shotgun) A.Luck pass deep right intended for D.Moncrief INTERCEPTED by R.Moore at DEN 24. R.Moore to DEN 24 for no gain (D.Moncrief).

Offensive Formation: Shotgun 3 WRs Trips Right

Defensive Formation: 4-3 Sub Package Man Cover 2

Luck rolls out and throws off his back foot into triple coverage. There’s just no way he was completing this throw. No one was open on this play, and in a 3rd down situation Luck once again “arm punts” this ball to Denver.

Interception 19

Situation: 3rd and 5, ball on IND 40

Description: (Shotgun) A.Luck pass short right intended for T.Hilton INTERCEPTED by D.Revis at IND 43. D.Revis to IND 13 for 30 yards (A.Luck; L.Louis).

Offensive Formation: Shotgun 3 WRs TE Trips Right

Defensive Formation: 4-3 Nickel Wide 9 Cover 1

This play is mostly just a great play by Revis. Luck makes the correct read and spots Hilton wide open on the sideline, but he puts touch on this throw instead of just rifling it to Hilton. I’m not completely certain a bullet pass would have gotten past Revis in this situation, but it would definitely have a better chance than the touch pass he threw.

Interception 20

Situation: 3rd and 6, ball on NE 38

Description: (Shotgun) A.Luck pass short left intended for Z.Tipton INTERCEPTED by J.Collins at NE 35. J.Collins to IND 40 for 25 yards (A.Luck).

Offensive Formation: Shotgun 3 WRs

Defensive Formation: 4-3 Nickel Wide 9 Cover 1

Luck makes a very poor decision on this throw. He tries to throw a bullet pass to Tipton when he needs to throw this ball up and let Tipton chase it down. Luck failed to recognize the linebacker’s coverage on the play and the bullet pass was an easy throw to jump the route on. If Luck puts some touch on the throw and goes over Tipton then he can easily complete this pass.

Overall, I think Luck needs to work on his decision making as a whole. I’d put about 15 of these interceptions squarely on him making a poor throw or a bad decision. He still needs to learn when to put touch on the ball and when to rifle it in. He needs to get better at identifying coverages and making the correct throws into them. And I think most importantly, he needs to stop staring down his receivers.

I think Luck is still trying to figure out what throws work against certain defenses. His ability to identify coverages is still better than most QBs at his age, but his decision making needs to improve. He’s still trying to force throws when he doesn’t need to, and he’s still having trouble seeing the whole field when he drops back. While Luck puts up the TD numbers to counter his INT totals, he still needs to cut down on the interceptions. I think Luck will improve upon this season going into 2015, and we’ll likely see a reduced INT total as he continues to learn and grow in the NFL.