Stampede Blue
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor became the first player in franchise history to earn AFC Offensive Player of the Week in consecutive weeks after another dominant performance that featured three touchdowns in Sunday’s Week 3 rout over the Tennessee Titans.
Taylor carried the Colts with 102 rushing yards on 17 attempts, averaging 6.0 yards per carry. It marked Taylor’s third career outing with three rushing TDs to earn the fifth weekly honor of his six-year career in Indianapolis.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen praised the run game after Taylor’s performance against the Titans, highlighting the work of the offensive line, plus a rookie Tyler Warren as the lead blocker on an iso run that Taylor broke for a 46-yard score to essentially seal the win. Steichen labeled the play design “old-school smashmouth football,” the kind of play that showcased perfect execution up front to rely on Taylor’s ability to break tackles in the open field.
Through three games, Taylor leads the NFL with 338 rushing yards and 431 scrimmage yards, which is the best start to any season for a Colts player in the Indianapolis-era. The All-Pro is a workhorse with a lethal combination of acceleration and vision that’s fueled the Colts hot start and also reaffirmed his status as one of the NFL’s elite offensive weapons. The Colts lead the NFL averaging 6.6 yards per play, while heavily relying on their 25-year-old tailback. Indy ranks tied for second averaging 34.3 points and third with 153.3 rushing yards per game.
What further cements Taylor as one of the league’s best players is his 90.7 career rushing yards per game, which is fifth all-time and the most among active NFL players since Taylor was drafted in 2020.
Taylor’s latest milestone is another reminder that the Colts path to returning to playoff contention is powered by their run game. With two weekly awards in three games, it serves more than just recognizing Taylor’s individual talent. It reflects an offense that has steamrolled opponents through its identity behind the run game and a star who continues to deliver historic results.
Indianapolis is in sole possession of first place in the AFC South for the first time in two years, since Weeks 3 and 4 of Steichen’s first year as head coach in 2023. The Colts visit SoFi Stadium for the first time in a Week 4 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams (2-1) on Sunday at 4:05 p.m.
