Colts star RB Jonathan Taylor earns high NFL weekly honor for recent heroics

On Wednesday, the NFL announced that Indianapolis Colts star workhorse Jonathan Taylor earned ‘AFC Offensive Player of the Week’ honors for his Herculean effort in this past Sunday’s thrilling last second, 29-28 home win against the Denver Broncos.

Having a monstrous outing, Taylor had 25 carries for 165 total rushing yards (6.6 ypc. avg.), as well as 2 receptions for 50.0 yards and a touchdown reception.

With the Colts spreading the ball around in the passing game, Taylor was clearly the focal point of the Indianapolis offense collectively, anchoring the ground game.

On his 43-yard reception late in the first quarter, per NFL Next Gen stats, Taylor reached a top speed of 22.38, which is the fastest by a ball carrier since Raheem Mostert back in Week 2 of 2020.

There’s a few things to take note of:

1. Taylor began right where he left off against the Broncos last year, as he had 22 carries for 107 total rushing yards against them in 2024, and he somewhat made amends from his unfortunate goal line fumble gaffe.
2. Because he’s typically given a light workload in training camp and preseason, and also been rehabbing past injuries during recent offseasons, Taylor has arguably been somewhat of a slow starter to begin the regular season. This year, he already leads the league in total carries (43) and rushing yards (236), as well as yards after contact (202), missed tackles forced (14), and missed tackles forced yards (112).
3. Taylor has started to become more of a complete 3-down back, which means he’s able to stay on the field in obvious passing situations, and defenses have to assuredly still account for him—instead of being subbed out for say Tyler Goodson (when healthy), etc.

Coincidentally, Taylor was also the last Colts player to win AFC Offensive Player of the Week, having done so in Week 16 of last year, when he rushed for 218 total rushing yards on 29 carries and 3 rushing touchdowns in a 38-30 home victory against the rival Tennessee Titans.

It’s the 4th time he’s earned such AFC weekly honors in his already prolific Colts’ rushing career.