What's it going to take? That's the question Indianapolis Colts fans may be asking this week after another unconvincing performance from Daniel Jones. The embattled quarterback had yet another game that was largely lost on his arm. So, what's it going to take for things to change?
The Colts were supposed to beat the now 1-5 Tennessee Titans because they were supposed to be the better team. Compared to one another, they still are, generally speaking. However, Sunday's result showed the Colts can't stop beating themselves.
What Jones said about the Colts' offense after the game said a lot, but it also highlights why Shane Steichen should consider leaning elsewhere other than his quarterback. It's simple: What is working, and what is not? What is working is what the Colts should be leaning on going forward, and Jones keeps opening the door wider for Steichen to see it.
Jonathan Taylor is the reason why the Indianapolis Colts need to lean less on Daniel Jones
It's strangely incredible that Jonathan Taylor has still yet to hit the 100-yard rushing mark in six games this season, although coming within a few yards of the mark several times. Taylor has rushed for 98, 92, 95, and 94 yards in four of six games this season, while his lows have been 62 and 45 yards in the other two games.
After last week's disappointing outing, Taylor bounced back hugely with 94 yards on the ground and added one more touchdown to make it seven on the season. Taylor hasn't been as electric as he was last season, but he's remained the Colts' only consistent source of offense, and his day against the Titans continued to show why riding him over Jones may work out for the better.
As a group, the Colts' running backs collectively averaged an impressive 5.5 yards per carry and 165 yards on 30 attempts. Taylor accounted for 21 carries while Seth McGowan had four. In contrast to the passing game, Jones threw 42 times, completing 22 passes for 259 yards, for a 52.4% completion rate and a 60.5% overall quarterback rating.
Looking at the two attacks, the running game was far more impactful, and that has largely been the theme all season. Jones was also sacked six times and threw two brutal interceptions. What Jones said after the loss speaks to what's going wrong with the Colts' offense, and perhaps what should change.
"I think there's some times of forcing some stuff that's not there and I got to be smart about that," Jones said.
From Jones's perspective, forcing the football is getting him into too much trouble. But what if Steichen's continued intent to lean heavily on the passing game is causing the trouble in the first place?
Jones is clearly not up to the task, and his inability to make wise decisions is costing Indianapolis, while the running game is generally thriving from the back seat. Leaning on the run game over the passing game does one crucial thing: it helps slow down pass rushes and keeps the chains moving. In turn, takes the football out of Jones's hands more and puts it in Taylor's.
Right now, Taylor is the driving force in the Colts' offense; Steichen has every reason to lean more heavily in his direction. Given how the Colts are playing right now, Jones is going to cost them more games they should be winning.
At least with Taylor and the run game as the first point of attack, Indianapolis has a better shot at winning and, most importantly, minimizing turnovers.
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