What Changed for Colts Breakout-Rushing Attack
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has endured a tough season along with the rest of his teammates, but Taylor and the Colts rushing attack broke out in a 25-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
Taylor rushed for 147 yards and was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week. Taylor praised his teammates for his latest award.
"It’s awesome but I love that I’m able to share it with my teammates because you guys saw it, especially the big run, I mean it was all 11 guys," said Taylor.
"Tight ends making sure they get back on the slice block, o-line, especially Braden (Smith) at tackle, making sure he washes everything down."
"It’s fun because it’s not something that you can just enjoy for yourself. It’s something you can talk with other people about."
Players say all the time that no one is ever 100% healthy during the middle of the season. Taylor has missed three games this season because of a nagging ankle injury, but he didn't show any lingering effects against the Raiders.
How is he feeling heading into the stretch run of the 2022 season?
"Hey, NFL game, I don't know if you're always feeling good coming out, but 'in-season healthy,' so that's a great sign," said Taylor with a smile.
Taylor credits consistency (and health) for the Colts big rushing performance against the Raiders.
"Nothing really changed," said Taylor. "We've been building up to this for a while. The thing is, you've got to stay consistent. When you start to deviate from your plan, when you start to deviate from what you know is battle tested, that's when things can kind of get messy."
"But if you continue to stay consistent, keep working, things will start happening."
The Colts will face a much stiffer test on Sunday against the 8-1 Philadelphia Eagles, but despite their lofty record, their rush defense ranks just-one spot ahead of the Raiders at No. 21 in the NFL.
If Taylor and the Colts can stay consistent, they could even their record at 5-5-1 and find themselves in the thick of the AFC Playoff race.
