The running back position is becoming less and less of a priority these days but there are still a few running backs who are game changers for their team. Jonathan Taylor is one of those guys for the Indianapolis Colts.
The second-year running back has already put himself out there as one of the best running backs in the league. The Colts relied on Taylor to take charge against the New England Patriots and that’s what he did. Taylor was already having a great game as his first 28 carries totaled 103 rushing yards. But with the Patriots having a 17-point fourth quarter to come within three points, Taylor’s 29th carry shut down the Patriots’ hopes of a comeback with a 67-yard touchdown to end the game once and for all.
"Jonathan Taylor to the house… good night!" pic.twitter.com/4LNj3JLVJ3
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 19, 2021
Taylor did more than run for 170 yards and score a TD. He was the lead block for Nyheim Hines’ touchdown in the first quarter and then picked up the blitz in the second quarter to buy Carson Wentz time and complete one of his longest passes of the night. Taylor may get the bulk of the carries but he’s smart, unselfish, and willing to do the dirty work when necessary. And I’m not just saying that because I have Taylor on my fantasy team and he’s trying to get me a fantasy championship.
Once again, social media took notice at Taylor’s play as the MVP talk gets louder and louder.
An MVP-style run from #Colts RB Jonathan Taylor.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 19, 2021
J. Taylor has to get some some votes for an individual award or something?
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) December 19, 2021
#Colts RB Jonathan Taylor has more rushing TDs this season than 18 NFL teams.
We’re in Week 15.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 19, 2021
Games with 170+ rushing yards this season
Jonathan Taylor: 3
Rest of the NFL: 2 pic.twitter.com/djETGDGNSs
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 19, 2021
Jonathan Taylor should no doubt be the #MVP @Colts
— Tracy Wolfson (@tracywolfson) December 19, 2021
Jonathan Taylor is special y’all. I’m gonna fall asleep watching this run. pic.twitter.com/sTF3GjSNzg
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) December 19, 2021
Jonathan Taylor just ended it.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) December 19, 2021
Jonathan Taylor tonight vs Patriots pic.twitter.com/3wYsddoAJ3
— Hasty (@HastyHighlights) December 19, 2021
Jonathan Taylor had more yards on that one TD than Carson Wentz did in the whole game pic.twitter.com/TEOga4kcIZ
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) December 19, 2021
Jonathan Taylor. A 67-yard dagger to the heart of the AFC No. 1 seed. New @Colts franchise record for touchdowns. Leading the NFL in rushing. Get this guy some MVP votes. Seriously.
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) December 19, 2021
Jonathan Taylor 67 yards to the house, vs. a stacked box, in a three-point game the Colts have to have, against a team they haven't beat in 12 years.
Colts 27, Patriots 17 with 2:01 left.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) December 19, 2021
Jonathan Taylor reached a top speed of 22.13 mph on his 67-yard game-clinching TD run, the fastest speed by a ball-carrier this season.
Taylor is now responsible for three of the top 5 fastest plays with the football this season.#NEvsIND | #ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/RaBQngtWF6
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 19, 2021
https://twitter.com/TreyStation5/status/1472417821632073728?s=20
Jonathan Taylor closing this game like… pic.twitter.com/hkzUk1DFxY
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) December 19, 2021
The last time a running back was named MVP was Adrian Peterson in 2012. It’s still going to be difficult for Taylor to win MVP but he’s definitely going to make it tough for people to vote against him.
