Colts Eric Ebron and Zach Pascal make PFF’s team of the week

The Indianapolis Colts played a great game against the division rival Houston Texans on Sunday, cementing their place as the AFC South team to beat. In doing so, wide receiver Zach Pascal and tight end Eric Ebron helped lead the team to victory and made PFF’s team of the week roster.

Zach Pascal broke out for 6 catches and 126 yards in Jacoby Brissett’s career day win. He caught all of his targets and had a league-high average of nearly 6 yards per route run for week 7. On the season he has 18 targets for 13 receptions for 239 yards and three touchdowns.

More impressive is his 0 drops on the season. Not only is he getting open, but he’s getting open deep with an 18 yard. per catch average. Pascal averages 14% of the teams passing yards per game and Brissett averages 10 air yards when throwing his way with an average 8 yards after the catch. Pascal is also getting off of coverage with an average of 2.7 yards of separation per NFL Next Gen Stats. Pascal has helped this team regain an identity since the retirement of Andrew Luck back in September.

Eric Ebron also made the list as the flex tight end behind the Raiders’ Darren Waller. Looking at his route tree for the game on NFL Next Gen Stats, Ebron had a lot of yards after the catch, making his 4 receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown a bigger day than expected. On the season, Ebron has a 7.9 yards per reception average.

However, where he excels is in the separation on receiving yards with a 6.6 average, meaning he’s getting away from defenders and finding spots to get open. Last season, Ebron was Luck’s protection blanket but has taken a step back stats-wise in 2019.

However, he’s still rated as one of the top run-blocking tight end’s in the NFL alongside the offensive line which seems to be playing at an elite level.

The Colts offense is shaping up to be a great compliment to the already staunch defense and once Malik Hooker gets back to full health, the defense will be ready for prime matchups.