up on the wrong side. When this offense first got (installed), he was the only one that knew it. I said, 'Hey, man. You know the offense. We're still learning it.' But you want that from your quarterback, for him to take charge and keep everybody in place."

Teammates know Luck is doing all this in the pursuit of winning. But it also helps that Luck has integrated so seamlessly with his teammates in his season-plus with the team. He pokes fun at others, and he takes it well when the joke's on him.

His ability to blend in despite his status as one of the league's elite quarterbacks has endeared him to his teammates, making it more palatable to accept his constructive criticism.

"We all do our jobs because we'regrow wider and you sense something big is about to happen.

"That's where the fire really comes out," Wayne said. "He's just telling us we don't have time for mess-ups right now. He really puts his foot down."

On Dec. 2, 2012, the Colts trailed the Lions 33-28 in the fourth quarter with less than two minutes to play. Luck came into the huddle and made a matter-of-fact statement.

"Hey, let's do this," were his words, according to Castonzo. The Colts went on to drive 75 yards in 1:07, winning the game with a touchdown pass from Luck to Donnie Avery on the game's final play.

"He came into the huddle," Castonzo said, "and there was no question that we were going to score."

Perhaps it's no surprise Luck has notched eight game-winning