Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is emerging as a legitimate superstar this season.
With the recent injury to Tennessee Titans workhorse Derrick Henry, Taylor has emerged from the shadow of his AFC South counterpart. Taylor leads the NFL in rushing yards (1,122), yards from scrimmage (1,444), rushing touchdowns (13) and longest run from scrimmage (83 yards). He’s also the first running back to reach 1,000-yard mark on the season.
Taylor currently averages 5.8 yards per carry and has over 100 total yards in eight consecutive games. Here are his numbers since Week 4:
| Week | Opponent | Total yds. | TDs |
| 4 | at Miami | 114 | 1 |
| 5 | at Baltimore | 169 | 2 |
| 6 | Houston | 158 | 2 |
| 7 | at San Francisco | 110 | 1 |
| 8 | Tennessee | 122 | 1 |
| 9 | N.Y. Jets | 200 | 2 |
| 10 | Jacksonville | 126 | 1 |
| 11 | at Buffalo | 204 | 5 |
Taylor, a second-year pro who rushed for 6,174 yards during his collegiate career with the Wisconsin Badgers, also just set a Colts franchise record with five touchdowns in a blowout win over the Buffalo Bills.
Taylor is only 48 yards away from surpassing his rushing yardage total from his entire rookie season and two rushing first downs away from eclipsing his total from 2020.
When the Colts started the season 0-3, Taylor averaged only 57 rushing yards per game. Now 6-5 and in the midst of the AFC playoff chase, the Colts are on a three-game winning streak. In those past three games, Taylor has averaged 158 rushing yards.
What changed? His snaps. He is now the workhorse of the Colts offense.
Taylor had 32 carries and three receptions against Buffalo on Sunday, and he’s been on the field for more than 80% of the team’s offensive snaps each of the past two weeks.
Let’s examine some game film to learn why Taylor has been so effective.