QB Andrew Luck, who continues to improve in his second year in the National Football League, and the Indianapolis Colts (4-1) travel to the west coast for their Week 6 Monday Night Football match-up against the San Diego Chargers (2-3).
Luck has started out the season showing no signs of a "sophomore slump," completing 62.2 percent of his passes for 1,144 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions, including a 229 yards, two touchdown performance in the Colts 34-28 come-from-behind victory over the Seattle Seahawks, giving them their first loss of the season.
Despite the numbers Luck is putting up, propelling the Colts into first place in the AFC South division, the young quarterback credits head coach Chuck Pagano for the teams resiliency.
"I don't think it's in the DNA of a Pagano-coached team to hang your head or to get too high when you're doing something well," said Luck. "His approach is very methodical."
The Colts' mid-season trade acquisition, RB Trent Richardson, has helped take pressure off of Luck, quickly adjusting to a new offensive system and rushing for 56 yards against Seattle. Richardson could give the Chargers' defense headaches, considering they are ranked 24th in the league in rush defense. The Chargers have struggled on the defensive side of the ball, allowing 400 yards a game, and forcing only two turnovers for the season.
"He's a powerful runner that a lot of times doesn't go down with the first hit," said San Diego LB Larry English regarding facing Richardson. "We have to do a great job this week tackling."
The Chargers' offense can move the ball, ranked fifth in the league averaging of 401.6 yards per game with QB Philip Rivers leading the way completing 141- of-191 passes for 1,610 yards, 13 touchdowns, five interceptions and a passer rating of 110.5.
Philips did struggle last week in the Chargers defeat at the hands of the Oakland Raiders, throwing three interceptions offsetting his 35-of-48, 411 yards, and two touchdown performance in their 27-17 loss in Week 5.
"It doesn't matter what level you're at, when you turn the ball over five times, it's tough to win games," said San Diego coach Mike McCoy.
The Chargers will be without RB Ryan Mathews, who suffered a concussion in the second quarter of their game against Oakland, with San Diego now relying on RBs Danny Woodhead and Ronnie Brown to carry the load.
"No one ever wants to get hurt. You don't want your brain to get messed with, either," said Mathews to the San Diego Union-Tribune. "It's frustrating that I didn't get a chance to be out there with my teammates and try to help them win, but it's part of the game."
Live Television Coverage
Monday Night Football's Indianapolis Colts - San Diego Chargers game can be seen on ESPN with coverage beginning 8:30 p.m. EST.
Live Stream (online)
Live stream coverage can be seen on NFL RedZone.
Live Stream (Radio)
Live stream coverage can be heard on NFL Audio Pass and Sirius XM Radio Channel 86
Live Score
Live scores could be followed by clicking here.
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