Some fretted about Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor being injured in Week 1. In the team's blowout victory over the Miami Dolphins, Taylor hardly played in the second half. Instead, rookie DJ Giddens wrapped up the game. As it turns out, Taylor wasn't needed.
Now that he isn't good because he obviously is. Taylor is obviously one of the best running backs in the NFL and has been so for the last several years. In Week 2 against a good Denver Broncos defense, however, he was fast, strong, and brutally efficient.
Twice in the game, Taylor hit speeds of more than 20 miles per hour. One was on a short pass when the running back caught the ball, turned, and sprinted 43 yards. A second was on a 68-yard rush. Both times, the only reason he was stopped was because Denver defenders had an angle.
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor wins AFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 2
Jonathan Taylor was so impressive that he earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. He finished with 25 carries for 165 yards and two catches for 50. Oddly, he did score a touchdown receiving, but not rushing, and it was on a seven-yard catch. The explosive plays were elite, though.
The truth is, as all Indianapolis Colts fans know, is that Indy is simply a better team when Taylor is available to play. He has missed at least three games in each of the past three years, including six in 2022 and seven in 2023. If he stays healthy in 2025, especially as well as quarterback Daniel Jones is playing, Taylor could come close to his 2021 season.
That year, he was named First-Team All-Pro after rushing for a league-leading 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns, and he had two more receiving. He obviously has not slowed over the course of his career, even though he is always going to get a bunch of carries each game.
Week 2's award could be the first of many this season for Taylor. He already leads the NFL is rushing yards, and he is going to continued to get used as long as his health allows. Another First-Team All-Pro season is within his grasp, and maybe Offensive Player of the Year. (He won't win MVP, though. Football fans know that always goes to a quarterback.)