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The Indianapolis Colts couldn’t have asked for more out of Jonathan Taylor since drafting him No. 41 overall in 2020, as health has been the only thing that’s stopped him from dominating each year. However, the 26-year-old is outdoing himself this season. Taylor entered Sunday’s matchup with the Tennessee Titans ranked first in the NFL in rushing yards (697) and rushing touchdowns (10). The former Wisconsin Badger was also averaging 5.3 yards a carry despite ranking second with 131 carries, so he’s been a reliable aid for quarterback Daniel Jones. Taylor followed that up with a history-making moment on Sunday, via NFL+. “Jonathan Taylor ties HOF Earl Campbell for 4th-most rushing TDs by a player in their first 75 career games in the Super Bowl era,” it announced after the star’s 80-yard scoring scamper that gave the Colts a 24-7 lead in the third quarter. They later won 38-14, making them 7-1 on the season. Taylor finished with 153 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries as well as two catches for 21 receiving yards and another score. The 5-foot-10, 226-pounder is also the first player with 500 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns in a four-game span within a season since Jamaal Charles for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013, per ESPN Insights. Colts Humming With Jonathan Taylor, Daniel Jones Taylor isn’t the only Colt with elite stats this season. Jones now has seven games with a 100-plus passer rating this season, which is tied for the most in football, per NFL+. The former Duke Blue Devil came into Sunday ranked fifth with 1,790 passing yards, and followed that up by completing 21-of-29 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns against Tennessee. He and Taylor are the most effective quarterback-running back duo in the sport this season, and it’s no coincidence that Indianapolis has the best record. It’s no surprise that Taylor is performing well, as he has three 1,000-plus-yard rushing seasons and is on his way to a fourth if he stays healthy. However, Jones came into this season as a reclamation project following his failed tenure with the New York Giants. The Colts signed him to a one-year deal over the offseason (per Spotrac), but he’s making a case to be their long-term signal-caller.
