The Indianapolis Colts are favorites to win the Super Bowl this season, and quarterback Andrew Luck is a huge reason why. In his three professional seasons, Luck has made the playoffs each time and gone one level deeper with each campaign, making it to the AFC Championship game in 2014.
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This year, the Colts loaded up in free agency on veterans with general manager Ryan Grigson with outside linebacker Trent Cole, guard Todd Herremans, receiver Andre Johnson and running back Frank Gore. With Luck at the controls, this could be the best offense in the NFL.
In that vein, NFL Network analyst Adam Schein took a glance at all the starting quarterbacks without a Super Bowl ring, and ranked the top nine in terms of likelihood they get some jewelry. Not shockingly, Luck was ranked atop the heap, with Schein writing the following:
"The return of Robert Mathis, who missed all of last season with a torn Achilles tendon, is gigantic for the Colts’ defense, as well. Although Cole and up-and-coming rusher Jonathan Newsome will likely eat into some of Mathis’ snaps, I believe coach Chuck Pagano when he says the 13-year pro “will make a huge impact” this year.All the talent infusion through free agency and the 2015 draft is helpful and make the Colts better, but let’s be honest — it’s all about the quarterback in Indy. The Colts enter camp as one of the NFL’s top-four teams because of Luck, who I think is the third-best player in the league."
The rest of the list included some stunners. Philip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers did not crack the top nine, with Schein believing the Chargers are not a quality team in the AFC West. However, Schein rolls deep by putting Sam Bradford third and the combination of Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer fourth.
Frankly, if the Houston Texans make the playoffs, let alone win the Super Bowl, it might bring Las Vegas to its collective knees.
Tony Romo checks in seventh, while Alex Smith and Cam Newton round out the list. It’s an interesting thought by Schein and a different perspective. Some of the quarterbacks listed seem to have nothing but time, while others are watching the hourglass run empty.