Indianapolis Colts Move Into First Place In AFC South

Zach Pascal (Keith Allison, Wikimedia Commons)

One of the most intriguing games from week seven of the 2019 National Football League schedule came from the AFC South. In a battle for first place, the Indianapolis Colts actually leapfrogged the Houston Texans into first with an impressive 30-23 victory over their division rivals.

It was a tremendous game for Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who completed 26 of 39 passes for 326 yards and four touchdowns. From a receiver perspective, Zach Pascal had the best game of his two-year NFL career. Pascal had seven catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns. He had both of his touchdown receptions in the red zone as he had an 11-yard catch and a three-yard catch from Brissett.

Indianapolis was in the lead throughout the game. The Texans had an opportunity to tie the game on their final drive, but Texans quarterback DeShaun Watson had a pass intercepted by Colts linebacker Darius Leonard. With the win, the Colts improve to a record of four wins and two losses and the Texans fall to four wins and three losses.

The fact that Brissett is emerging from Andrew Luck’s shadow is impressive. Nobody expected Brissett to be the Colts starting quarterback this season and he has done an admirable job. In six games, Brissett has 14 touchdowns compared to three interceptions, and has completed 134 passes in 206 attempts for 1388 yards.

The protection for Brissett has also been better for the Colts in 2019 than 2018. Last season Brissett was sacked an NFL high 52 times in 15 starts. So far in 2019, Brissett has only been sacked seven times in six games.