Primetime Primer: Luck, Colts under pressure heading into matchup with Jets

Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts failed to live up to even the most pessimistic preseason expectations in their opener against the Buffalo Bills.

Luck was predicted by some (yours truly, included) to capture NFL MVP honors, but in Week 1 his rhythm was disrupted by the constant pressure from the Bills' front seven.

Now Luck returns home where he will face another raucous defensive line that will blitz heavily in Monday night's matchup with the New York Jets.

Luck's burden weighs heavy against revamped Jets' D

Billed as the best quarterback prospect since his predecessor Peyton Manning, Luck has exceeded the towering expectations placed on him before his professional career began.

Luck led the Colts to the playoffs in each of his first three seasons, and is the NFL's next generational quarterbacking talent. In large part due to his ascendance, the Colts were forecasted as a leading Super Bowl contender, and the team's window of opportunity was accelerated with the acquisitions of veterans Frank Gore and Andre Johnson.

After opening the season with the loss to the Bills, Luck will square off with a vicious Jets' front seven that will look to create pressure all evening. New York blitzed 20 times in Week 1, the third-highest total in the league, and Luck struggled to establish a rhythm in the Colts' opener when the Bills sent an extra man 26 times. With Luck's top target, T.Y. Hilton, questionable to play with a knee injury, the Colts' quarterback will need to read through all of his progressions while the Jets' star-studded defensive line bears down on him. (Update: Hilton will reportedly be in the lineup)

New York's secondary used to be the laughingstock of the NFL, but the Jets totally revamped the group and turned a glaring weakness into one of the strongest units in the league. Darrelle Revis is considered by many to be the NFL's premier shutdown corner, and if Hilton is out, the All-Pro will lock down the Colts' most effective receiver. Even with Antonio Cromartie deemed questionable to play, Buster Skrine and Calvin Pryor are adept enough to disguise the coverage scheme for the duration of the evening.

Luck is engendered in a vicious catch-22 in his fourth professional season. Short of advancing to the Super Bowl, the Colts' superstar will be submitted to an inane debate about whether he can perform in the clutch, and lead a loaded offense to the Lombardi Trophy.

At 26, Luck's been successful in every endeavor, both academically and athletically. The burden of predetermined, jaundiced expectations may be an obstacle that weighs heavy if the Colts lose Monday night.

Player to Watch

Calvin Pryor, S, Jets

Pryor was selected 18th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft and showed glimpses of stardom in his rookie season. Although Pryor is nominally listed as a safety, the 23-year-old was used as a de facto fifth linebacker, flying in around the box to record 10 tackles and a forced fumble in the Jets' Week 1 victory. With Darrelle Revis locking down one side of the field, Pryor will be afforded plenty of room to take calculated risks, and don't be surprised if you see the Jets' sophomore shooting through gaps Monday to attack Luck.

Did you know?

• Colts cornerback Vontae Davis was the primary defender against Buffalo's Sammy Watkins in Week 1, and did not surrender a catch after being thrown at twice.
• Indianapolis holds a 40-27 historical advantage.
• Super Bowl III was one of the NFL's greatest upsets, with the Jets emerging victorious over the Baltimore Colts, 16-7. Joe Namath famously guaranteed a win ahead of the game against the Colts, who were 18-point favorites.