- Title: Colts train ahead of London-based division game vs Jags
- Date: 30th September 2016
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS QUARTERBACK, ANDREW LUCK, SAYING: "We know the best way into the play-offs is to win your division. We know that. Jacksonville is a very solid team and we have had some great battles with them in the past so we know how important division games are. It is something that has been preached to me since I came into the locker room as a rookie and the importance holds."
- Embargoed: 15th October 2016 16:32
- Keywords: American football Indianapolis Colts NFL London Jacksonville Jaguars Wembley Luck
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: American Football,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA00651RBVPB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: With only one win between them so far this season, both the Indianapolis Colts and their upcoming opponents the Jacksonville Jaguars, probably thought a long trip to London for their match on Sunday (October 2) was the last thing they needed.
However, having landed Thursday (September 30) morning in London the Colts have settled in quickly at their new facility based in Watford on the outskirts of London.
The 1-2 Colts will match-up with the 0-3 Jaguars on Sunday in a division game that both teams will see as crucial if they are to win their division and progress to the end of season play-offs.
As ever, the Colts will be relying on start quarterback Andrew Luck.
Luck, who was drafted first overall in the 2011 draft, has been one of the league's standout players before an injury disrupted his 2015 season.
The London game is extra special for the 27-year-old as he spent several years living in London as a child. His father Oliver Luck was a general manager in the now defunct World League of American Football.
However, Luck is concentrating solely on getting the win.
"I love London, it is one of my favourite cities in the world, but for me to be a tourist is in the off-season and for me to be a professional football player is during the season," stressed Luck on Thursday, before adding that he had visited Wembley, the home of English soccer and the venue for Sunday's game previously as a fan.
With both teams in the AFC South, alongside the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans, this match is especially important if the teams possess post-season ambitions. The winner of each division automatically qualifiers for the end of season play-offs.
"We know the best way into the play-offs is to win your division. We know that. Jacksonville is a very solid team and we have had some great battles with them in the past so we know how important division games are," said Luck.
His words were echoed by head coach Chuck Pagano, who added that his men were motivated by the 51-26 mauling they suffered at the hands of the Jaguars at home last season.
"They beat our butts good. I mean they embarrassed us," said Pagano.
Both Jacksonville and the Colts will be bouyed by the news that the three time NFL defensive player of the year JJ Watt, a defensive end for the Texans, will miss the rest of the season.
Pagano admitted that losing anyone of Watt's ability was a blow but added that the Texans had the defensive talent to succeed.
"You certainly have to make sure you know where he is at every single down when you are on the offensive side of the ball because he can wreck a game and he has done it before and all those kind of things but they will have a plan in place and they have got a lot of good players on that side of the ball. They will be all right," said Pagano.
The Colts beat the San Diego Chargers last week to record their first victory of the season but the Jacksonville Jaguars are yet to win a game under the increasingly under-pressure Gus Bradley. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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