Indianapolis Colts fans had been on their knees all season begging Frank Reich to treat Jonathan Taylor like a workhorse.
Entering Week 11, the second-year running back tallied just one game with 20 or more carries. That came in the Week 10 win over Jacksonville, when Taylor took 21 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown.
That game indicated Reich was beginning to turn a corner in regard to who should be the centerpiece of the offense.
On a rainy afternoon in Orchard Park, there was only one logical solution for Reich: feed Taylor and force the Bills to tackle him.
When the dust settled, Taylor ran all over Buffalo’s defense, compiling 185 rushing yards and five total touchdowns (four rushing). It was an MVP-like performance from Taylor, and his teammates got that conversation started both on social media and during their postgame pressers.
You know who also took notice of Taylor’s masterpiece? That would be the NFL, which changed its Twitter bio to a picture of the superstar RB with a playful caption that referenced Taylor Swift’s recently-released album.
It's NFL bio official now. 🖼️ pic.twitter.com/XZc3oPyIdV
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) November 22, 2021
The NFL changed its Twitter bio in honor of Colts RB Jonathan Taylor’s five-TD performance vs Buffalo.
Perfect execution by the NFL’ social media team.
For those who were left scratching their heads by the bio change, Swift re-recorded her fourth studio album “Red” titled “Red (Taylor’s Version)” and released it in November. The album helped Swift win favorite female pop artist at Sunday’s AMA’s, so you can see where the NFL’s punchline came from.
Truth be told, there were a ton of different directions the NFL could’ve went, but they hit the nail right on the head here. After all, Taylor finding the end zone is “Nothing New,” as he already had nine rushing scores and 10 receiving TDs on his 2021 resume before Sunday’s playoff rematch against Buffalo.
It’s just awesome to see Taylor get the national recognition he deserves. It shouldn’t have taken a borderline historic season, but beggars can’t be choosers. The Colts are a small-market team and it hasn’t helped that they play in the same division as Derrick Henry, the two-time defending rushing champion.
#Colts Jonathan Taylor vs. Derrick Henry rushing this season:
— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) November 21, 2021
Taylor = 193 carries, 1,122 yards (5.8 YPC), 13 rushing TDs
Henry = 219 carries, 937 yards (4.3 YPC), 10 rushing TDs
Taylor is the NFL’s RB1.
After erupting vs the Bills, Taylor tied an NFL record of eight straight games with 100 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown.
He also became the first back in the league this season to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark, establishing a comfortable 261-yard advantage over Nick Chubb, the only RB capable of catching him at this rate with Henry out injured.
All after playing against the top-ranked defense coming into the week.
We don’t know about you, but Taylor is definitely feeling 22.
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