Jonathan Taylor is main the cost of the stunning Indianapolis Colts, and he is perhaps the perfect general participant within the league.
Taylor has scored three touchdowns 4 separate instances this season as he leads the Colts into battle in opposition to the host Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
Main the NFL with 850 yards and 12 touchdowns on the bottom, Taylor additionally has two scoring receptions. The 14 whole touchdowns by means of eight video games give him an opportunity to problem the entire touchdowns report of 31 set by San Diego Chargers nice LaDainian Tomlinson in 16 video games in 2006.
Taylor’s landing depend is greater than the grand whole of 4 completely different groups and is tied with one other.
He rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries, together with an 80-yard scoring jaunt, in final week’s 38-14 residence win over the Tennessee Titans. He additionally had a receiving rating because the NFL-best Colts (7-1) gained their fourth straight sport.
“It is arduous to place into phrases, to be sincere, as a result of once you see the best way he is working, the best way the fellows are blocking for him, I imply, it is particular,” Indianapolis coach Shane Steichen stated. “It truly is. And like I stated, he is working arduous. He is working bodily. … Then the 80-yard landing run — he hit that factor down the sidelines, and to remain in bounds, it was as spectacular because it will get.”
Taylor’s largest impediment within the NFL MVP race would be the voters.
The balloting has changed into a vote for the perfect quarterback as a substitute of ‘Most Precious Participant’ and the final 12 winners have been sign callers. Adrian Peterson (2012) was the final non-quarterback to win the award. Tomlinson gained the award in his historic season and Shaun Alexander (2005) prevailed the 12 months earlier than.
“He is taking part in at such a degree the place they’re gonna have to contemplate a non-quarterback this 12 months,” Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. instructed reporters.
Indianapolis has topped 30 factors in every of the previous 4 video games and on six events general. Quarterback Daniel Jones is excelling with 2,062 passing yards, 13 touchdowns by means of the air and three interceptions.
Pittsburgh (4-3) is trying to rebound after back-to-back setbacks in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals and Inexperienced Bay Packers.
Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers is imploring his teammates to not permit the skid to grow to be an prolonged slide.
“You have to keep the course,” Rodgers stated. “We misplaced a tricky one in Cincy on a brief week, and (then) we performed an excellent soccer crew and had many probabilities to get issues going (in opposition to Inexperienced Bay). We have been up 16-7 at half, our protection taking part in properly.”
The top consequence was that Rodgers fell 35-25 in opposition to his former membership. He accomplished 24 of 36 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns.
Nevertheless, a Pittsburgh protection that includes stars equivalent to outdoors linebacker T.J. Watt and defensive deal with Cam Heyward has allowed greater than 30 factors in consecutive video games and 4 instances general.
Pittsburgh acquired a blow in opposition to the Packers when security DeShon Elliott was carted off with a hyperextended left knee. He was positioned on the injured reserve listing and can miss at the least the following 4 video games.
“He is a significant factor of what we do, notably relative to among the issues that Indy does properly,” Tomlin stated. “He’s a central determine in our secondary when it comes to run protection for instance. He covers tight ends oftentimes in passing circumstances and so actually we’ve some adapting to do when it comes to how we divide the labor up this week.”
Pittsburgh traded for New England security Kyle Dugger on Wednesday to assist soften the loss.
Elliott was considered one of six injured Steelers who missed observe Wednesday. The others have been tight finish Pat Freiermuth (quad), receiver Scotty Miller (finger), guard Isaac Seumalo (pectoral), middle Zach Frazier (calf) and defensive deal with Daniel Ekuale (knee).
Sitting out for Indianapolis have been receivers Josh Downs (hip) and Anthony Gould (knee), offensive lineman Matt Goncalves (private), defensive ends Samson Ebukam (knee) and Tyquan Lewis (groin), defensive deal with Grover Stewart (foot), cornerback Kenny Moore (Achilles) and security Nick Cross (shoulder).
–Area Stage Media
