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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Jonathan Taylor did not only have the Indianapolis Colts back into the thick of the AFC playoff race — he very likely also carried himself into the thick of the MVP race.
Taylor experienced a job-substantial 32 carries for 185 yards, and he turned just the 18th participant in NFL history to score 5 touchdowns, undertaking so Sunday in the Colts’ convincing 41-15 victory above the Buffalo Charges. The Colts started the time 1-4, but they’ve due to the fact won five of their earlier 6 games to transfer earlier mentioned .500 for the to start with time this season.
“He is sending a message to the league,” fellow Colts functioning back again Nyheim Hines claimed. “It is really been incredible looking at him perform. Excellent to observe him complete runs and make men and women pass up. He’s a finish back … If you will find any ability placement [for MVP], Jonathan Taylor wants to be in it. Him and [Los Angeles Rams receiver] Cooper Kupp. JT is the 1st in line for a non-quarterback player.”
The 185 yards moved Taylor to the top of the NFL’s dashing leaderboard (1,122 yards), in advance of Tennessee’s Derrick Henry. Taylor may possibly remain there, as well, primarily with the likelihood of Henry getting out the rest of the yr with a foot damage.
| Participant | TDs | 12 months |
|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Taylor | 5 | 2021 |
| Alvin Kamara | 6 | 2020 |
| Jamaal Charles | 5 | 201 |
| Clinton Portis | 5 | 2003 |
| Shaun Alexander | 5 | 2002 |
| James Stewart | 5 | 1997 |
Taylor is the 3rd-youngest player to have 5 touchdowns in a sport and the 3rd to get all 5 in just a few quarters.
“You get a feeling of his confidence,” Colts quarterback Carson Wentz reported. “But you by no means know if you walk proper by him in the locker place, in the grocery retail store or whatever. He’s a minimal-essential man. He understands what he can do. He is self-assured. … The recreation he experienced [Sunday], honestly, won’t shock me any more since each individual single 7 days he reveals up and demonstrates out.”
Taylor, the Colts’ very best functioning again considering that Hall of Famer Edgerrin James, has taken a load off Wentz’s shoulders mainly because the quarterback will not have to attempt to carry the team as significantly. Taylor is only the eighth player given that 1950 with 1,200 scrimmage yards in an 8-match span. Taylor also has 29 receptions for 303 yards and a landing.
“I love when we check out to put notice on him and you can explain to he is uncomfortable,” Colts coach Frank Reich reported about Taylor. “I adore that feeling. We all like the experience when anyone [who] would not want the notice feels uncomfortable.”
Reich claimed previously this year that Taylor has attained the position exactly where he warrants at the very least 20 carries a sport. Taylor has topped 20 carries in a game just 2 times this time, with the two coming in the past two games.
Taylor not currently being overworked could shell out off since the Colts can lean on him even far more down the stretch four of their ultimate six game titles are from groups that entered Sunday with a winning history.
“We are hoping that we can just proceed to develop that workload like in the observe and industry,” Reich claimed past 7 days. “Genuinely have a next half of the 12 months that is more robust and quicker than the to start with 50 % of the yr. That would be the aim.”
