Did Andrew Luck Have a Case in Protesting Safety Call?

On 2nd-and-10 from his own 5-yard line the fourth quarter of the Indianapolis Colts' loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Andrew Luck tripped backward into the end zone and, from a seated position, attempted to get a pass off. 

The throw, presumably meant for Hakeem Nicks, earned the Steelers two points in what many took to calling the "butt safety," a reference to the infamous Mark Sanchez fumble that occurred after he fell forward into his center's backside. 

It was a rare mental mistake for Luck, who was not touched before he tossed the ball and may consider himself lucky that the play only ended in an intentional grounding penalty and a two-point safety, and not a pick-six. 

Luck could be seen vehemently pleading his case with the referee, arguing that the ball was intended for Nicks and not intentional grounding, and thus not a safety. But given the sequence of events and Nicks' proximity to the ball (or lack thereof), it's clear the refs made the right call on this one. 

It was one of a handful of plays Luck would want to have back in his 26-of-45, two-interception day. His completion percentage of 58.8 was his second-lowest of the season.

Luck said after the game that he didn't know why he tripped on the play, per Reggie Hayes of the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel.