Andrew Luck has atoned for early mistakes and has led the Colts to the AFC South title.Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts did it again, earning their second straight AFC South division title last week.

Despite his fifth consecutive game with a turnover, Luck joined Russell Wilson in an exclusive club of two: They are the only quarterbacks in NFL history to lead their teams to 10 or more wins in each of their first three seasons. While Luck and the Colts ride a four-game winning streak into Arlington to face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Luck has averaged two turnovers per game during that streak. Can he limit the turnovers in time to lead the Colts on a postseason run?

Overcoming turnovers

Most Turnovers, This Season

Luck enters Week 16 leading the league in passing yards (4,492) and touchdowns (38), but he also is not far off the lead in a more dubious category: turnovers.

Jay Cutler is the only player with more turnovers than Luck this season, and Luck’s turnovers have been costly. Luck has thrown three interceptions that have been returned for touchdowns and lost two fumbles that have been returned for touchdowns. Only Austin Davis (six) has more turnovers leading to defensive touchdowns this season.

Better after break

Andrew Luck Passing By Half,
This Season

Luck has played better after halftime this season, in large part due to erasing the negative plays. Luck has fewer interceptions and fumbles in the second half, and his sacks taken are also way down.

Among quarterbacks to start at least 10 games this season, Luck’s 1.8 sack percentage in the second half is the lowest in the league.

Development on deep ball has been key

In their second year together with the Colts, Luck and offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton have taken more chances downfield.

Andrew Luck Deep Passing (15+ Yds)
NFL Career

During his rookie season, Luck attempted the most deep passes (throws at least 15 yards downfield) in the league despite negative results. No quarterback threw more interceptions on deep balls than Luck that season.

Understandably, the Colts cut down on the deep passes in 2013, but it didn’t lead to more efficient numbers for Luck. His completion percentage and yards per attempt dropped after his rookie season.

But this year, Luck and the Colts have found the right mix of quality and quantity in the deep passing game.

Luck again leads the league in deep attempts this season, but he also is completing 50 percent of those passes, with the second-best touchdown-to-interception ratio (behind Aaron Rodgers).