Ebron, Walker shine in Colts’ third straight win

The Indianapolis Colts won their third straight game on Sunday by beating Jacksonville in Lucas Oil Stadium, improving their record to 4-5. This is the first time the Colts have won three consecutive games since 2015.

“You know, it’s not easy, obviously, in this league to win three in a row especially coming off a bye,” head coach Frank Reich said on Sunday. “But here at home we really want to make a statement in these games here that we have at home for our fans. We want to get the excitement back in the building, and today against a really good division opponent, it was a good start.”

Tight end Eric Ebron had a phenomenal performance against Jacksonville, finishing with three receptions for 69 yards and three touchdowns. Ebron now joins Patriots’ tight end Rob Gronkowski as the only tight ends in NFL history to record two touchdown receptions and one rushing touchdown in the same game.

Quarterback Andrew Luck spoke highly of his tight end corps saying they’ve been “consistent all season.” “We put a lot on their plate with the run game and the pass game,” Luck said, “(Eric) Ebron ran the ball today. That was pretty cool. They do a lot and they buy in and they work their butts off. It’s a great group.”

Luck went 21-of-29 for 285 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, earning him a quarterback rating of 123.5. Luck has now recorded at least one touchdown in 32 consecutive games - good for the longest active streak in the NFL.

Finishing the game with eight tackles for loss, six passes defended and one forced fumble, the Colts defense stepped up late in the fourth quarter to suppress a resilient Jacksonville offense. Linebacker Anthony Walker led the team with ten tackles and one tackle for loss. The Colts defense has forced at least one turnover in every game this season.

“You find ways to win,” Walker said. “You learn that about yourself. When you’re able to just find ways to win no matter how it comes out, you learn the character of your team. We just tried to find a way to win today.”

The Colts will spend the next week preparing for another home divisional contest against the Tennessee Titans.