The Indianapolis Colts have arrived at the make-or-break part of their schedule.
At 5-5, they need to go 4-1 (or, at the very least 3-2) over a five-game stretch that includes tilts against the Bills, Buccaneers, Texans, Patriots and Cardinals if they have any hope of sneaking into the playoffs.
The bad news for the Colts? Carson Wentz has struggled in two of the last three contests. Sure, he came up with some big throws in crunch time against the Jaguars, but he was anything but sharp in that game.
The good news for the Colts? They have the hottest running back in the game in Jonathan Taylor, who’s racked up 999 yards from scrimmage and 10 total touchdowns over the last seven weeks.
There are a swarm of stats the prove Indy should get Taylor more involved, but this one takes the cake as the biggest eye-opener.
For the year, Taylor has five 100-yard rushing games under his belt. The Colts are 5-0 in those games and 0-5 in the other five.
Jonathan Taylor is the hottest runner in the game right now. Rare combination of anticipation / patience and then the burst to erase angles at the second-level. pic.twitter.com/FMS6DvdKfb
— Graham Barfield (@GrahamBarfield) November 17, 2021
The Colts need to treat Jonathan Taylor like a workhorse RB
We hate to keep bringing up Taylor’s workload, but the fact Sunday marked his first game with 20 or more carries this year is criminal.
On the first episode of HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” Chris Ballard was caught saying that Taylor is a “top five” offensive weapon in the league. As an expert talent evaluator, the fifth-year GM hit the nail right on the head.
With Taylor as hot as he is, there’s no reason for Wentz to be dropping back to pass 35-plus times per game. That obviously hinges on game script, but Frank Reich can avoid needing an all-out aerial assault to win games by getting Taylor going early.
And if the Colts need to throw to win, why not get Taylor more touches as a receiver? We know that’s Nyheim Hines’ speciality, but we’ve stumbled across another mind-blowing stat that suggests Taylor needs more targets.
Jonathan Taylor is averaging 12 yards after the catch this year. 12. Twelve. T-w-e-l-v-e. Throw the man the ball.
— Andy Holloway (@andyholloway) November 18, 2021
You might say that average was ballooned by Taylor’s three-catch, 116-yard showing against Baltimore in Week 7. That’s fair, but even if you take that game out of the equation, he’s notched four games with over 10 YPR and three with over 13 YPR.
See what we’re saying?
Whether he makes an excellent read from the backfield or leaks out as a receiver after contributing in pass protection, Taylor is unstoppable in the open field.
Enough of throwing defenses different looks. If the Colts are serious about surviving this five-game stretch with a playoff pulse, the only time Taylor should come off the field is if he’s injured or needs a breather.
Colts: AFC South still has NFL’s best RB in Jonathan Taylor with Derrick Henry out
The Indianapolis Colts have the best running back in the AFC South -- and the NFL! -- with Derrick Henry out for the Tennessee Titans.