NFL: Colts top Dolphins 23-20 | The Salt Lake Tribune

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Indianapolis • Chuck Pagano provided the inspiration, then Andrew Luck delivered a record-setting performance in yet another win for the surprising Indianapolis Colts.

After a 23-20 victory over Miami, the ailing coach offered even more encouragement.

Picked by many to be among the NFL's weakest team, the rebuilding Colts are now in the playoff conversation at 5-3.

Luck wasn't too concerned that he had just broken Cam Newton's year-old record for yards passing in a game by a rookie or even that his team had another victory. He just wanted to live up to the message from his coach, who has been receiving treatment for leukemia since being diagnosed on Sept. 26.

"His presence is felt every day in the facility," Luck said. "But to see him in the flesh, in the locker room, to hear him speak I think gave all the guys a boost."

The Colts have now won more than twice as many games in half a season as they did in 16 games last year.

Luck threw for 433 yards and two touchdowns. He topped Newton's mark of 432 and tied another by becoming the NFLs' second rookie quarterback to produce four 300-yard games in a season. The other: Peyton Manning, the quarterback he replaced.

Luck had it all working against the Dolphins. He completed 30 of 48 passes, converted 13 of 19 third-down chances and remained under control even when he started moving around in the pocket.