Jonathan Taylor Runs Wild in Colts Win: Film
The Indianapolis Colts are firmly in the AFC playoff picture following a 27-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past weekend. Indianapolis now sits at 6-5 on the year with just two games remaining against teams with a winning record.
One of the key contributors to the Colts' victory was star running back Jonathan Taylor. Taylor finished the day with 15 rushes for 91 yards (6.06 yards per carry) and two scores against one of the league's best run defenses.
While the volume wasn't necessarily there for Taylor in this game, he did make every single carry count in this game. His 67 yards rushing in the second half was a major catalyst to the Colts emerging victorious in this pivotal late season match-up.
Outstanding Vision
Jonathan Taylor is a rare breed of running back that combines an elite level of size, speed, and vision. While his long speed is still slowly coming back after a long ankle injury recovery process, his vision has steadily improved throughout the season.
Taylor looked in control and decisive on every single run against the Buccaneers. His cuts were fluid and each step moved with a purpose in the backfield. His eyes were always one step ahead of the defense, as he was setting up blockers all day with his effortless movement.
His first run of the day (shown below) set the stage for the type of day the star back was going to have:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' linebacker Devin White was in a world of hurt this weekend trying to corral the elusive running back. Jonathan Taylor was toying with White all game long, and the All-Pro's vision in the backfield led to White being out of position on multiple occasions.
The best example of this is in the clip posted below. White is the off ball linebacker lined up directly behind the nose tackle on this run. Taylor begins this run by pressing the flow of the play to the outside, which causes White to step up to fill that potential outside gap.
Taylor then expertly shuffles back to the inside once White runs himself out of the play, leaving a massive run lane to the middle and leaving the linebacker flailing at the second level. Taylor understands the importance of blocking the unblocked defender as a runner, and it is part of the reason why he is among the league's best playmakers at the position:
Becoming a Problem Solver
Contrary to popular belief, there are very few run plays that should be marked as perfectly blocked in the NFL. There will always be minor mistakes and gaffs that lead to space condensing in a hurry for a running back. The ability to problem solve on the fly is what separates the good from the great players.
Luckily, the Colts have a great player in Jonathan Taylor. This first explosive run is the epitome of what he has brought to the Indianapolis Colts since the day he was drafted. Taylor gets skinny in the hole and keeps his feet churning through contact at the point of attack.
Once an opening emerges from the pile of bodies, Taylor bursts out of the mosh pit for an explosive run. This is a 2-3 yard gain for a typical running back but Taylor turns it into a big-time explosive play:
This next run may not be as explosive as the previous one, but it may be more impressive overall. The Colts are running power to the left side of the formation with guard Will Fries pulling around the edge to fill in the B gap.
The Buccaneers have this run stuffed from the get-go, as Taylor has zero escape lanes to the play call side. Luckily, Taylor is able to troubleshoot this problem on the fly and find a quick solution.
He calmly sets his feet int he backfield and works back to the opposite side B gap for a positive gain on the play. Another play with the potential to be a loss turned into a productive gain by Taylor in this game:
The Explosion is Back
Jonathan Taylor's long speed still appears to be working back into form, but his overall explosiveness certainly appears to be back. There were several runs late in this ball game that reminded us just how shifty and fluid this 225 pound back can be.
These two runs on the Colts' final touchdown drive were as good as it gets from Taylor. The Colts are running split zone from under center on both plays and Taylor is able to turn these plays into chunk gains for the offense.
This is simply high-level running back play from Taylor late in the ball game. He is decisive with his cuts, and his overall fluidity and explosiveness are a sight to behold. Taylor looked a lot like the First Team All-Pro we all know and love late in this ball game for the Colts:
The Bottom Line
Jonathan Taylor is a star player for the Indianapolis Colts that is surprisingly fresh heading into the late part of the season. If the Colts want to make the playoffs this season, they would be wise to lean on their bellcow back to carry them home over the next six weeks.
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